THE NOBLE ART OF BACKING WINNERS 1 95 



that he was not on the job this time, but 

 they're not going to kid you ; you mean to 

 wait and back him next time he runs ; he 

 must be watched. There is, as a matter 

 of fact, very much less of the " down the 

 course," "stiff un," and ''Johnny Arm- 

 strong " jockey business than the outside 

 pubHc imagine. 



There is plenty in the natural constitu- 

 tion of a horse and the transition from 

 greenness and want of condition to per- 

 fection to account for reversal of form 

 and confound handicappers and the 

 public, without attempting to bluff them 

 by vulgar means. Your two-year-old Is 

 coming on daily, but not more than half 

 fit yet ; but you want his eyes opening in 

 public and using to the rustle of silk, and 

 as he's engaged in the Produce Stakes and 

 you will have the forfeit to pay anyhow, 

 you run him and say to your jockey, 



