COLONIAL RACE-COURSES loi 



much prefer the Turf gambling in vogue in the 

 Old Country. 



Our owners at home are more influential, and 

 can afford to purchase or breed the finest blood- 

 stock in the world. It is more than likely that 

 our jockeys and trainers surpass all others. But 

 in matters that promote the happiness of the 

 ordinary race-goer and appeal to his good taste, 

 I unhesitatingly assert that we are behind the 

 times. No course in England with which I 

 am acquainted has " going " equal to that at 

 Flemington. Nor, Goodwood and Ascot ex- 

 cepted, is the surrounding country so exquisitely 

 beautiful. 



Racing in Oceana is not only patronised by 

 the Governor, it is the favourite pastime of all 

 classes, even "larrikins." Evidently they take a 

 pride in the Flemington Royal Box, which the 

 Governor often occupies, and, to quote one of 

 their own slang phrases, they like to "blow" 

 about the oil-paintings of colonial Turf patrons 

 that can be seen hanging on the walls of the 

 handsomely fitted-up Race Committee Rooms. 

 We, who are fond of our gaily-planted Ascot, 

 must congratulate the inhabitants of Sydney upon 

 having a tastefully laid out private drive up to the 

 Members' Stand. 



At Flemington, sportsmen who prefer using 

 their own carriages incur hardly any risks by 

 doing so, owing to the faultless accommodation in 

 the large hackney stables quite close to the course. 

 It is impossible for visitors to refrain from ad- 

 miring their ladies' retiring rooms, and their 



