CHASING AND RACING 39 



application of catgut or steel. Even the Embro- 

 cation's private and most particular dog whip was 

 despised by this old sinner. But when conditions 

 were favourable and he felt in the mood he could hop 

 it to a merry tune, and could stick it out if pressed. 

 I won on him first time out, and then there came a 

 day when, in order to support a certain meeting, we 

 entered the whole string. At that time the lazy 

 but useful Epsom Embrocation was the bright particu- 

 lar star of the stable ; but in order to have something 

 to make running for him in the principal event 

 Ted entered Winkelman. All the stable money was 

 on the roan, but the galloways being in different 

 ownership, of course, no declaration could be made. 

 There was a matter of seven pounds between the two 

 in Winkelman's favour, and as the going was on the 

 soft side, we figured that the old chap would condescend 

 to carry out his mission, as in duty bound ; but we 

 little reckoned to what a disastrous purpose. Of 

 course I was up on my own, whilst the faithful 

 Tommy Aldridge had the mount on Ted's representa- 

 tive with orders to jump off and keep in front until I 

 was prepared to take up the running. There were 

 five other runners with whose form I was not 

 acquainted, but judging from a paddock inspection 

 we came to the conclusion that we commanded the 

 situation. And so it proved, but not quite in the 

 fashion anticipated. Tommy followed his instructions 

 to the letter and I lay up sides with him. It was a 



