2oS WEIGHTS AND. DISTANCES. 



think if we had another for shorter races it would be a 

 welcome and serviceable addition. But as such a thing is 

 nowhere to be found (as far as I know) I shall try and supply 

 the omission by giving it. Though these figures do not 

 exactly correspond with the scale adopted at any particular 

 race-meeting, I think they are about the same as are generally 

 in use. I have not thought it necessary to go beyond a mile 

 and a half, as it would be but a repetition of the weights 

 adopted in the Queen's Plates for two miles and upwards. 



less than two miles, or for horses under three years old ; as those under that age are 

 proscribed from taking part in Her Majesty's Plates, As it is, two-year-old races 

 are one of the great features of modern racing, and it is very necessaiy to have a 

 just scale for them ; nor should one be omitted for the relative weights to be 

 carried by three- and four-year-olds over a shorter course than any given in the 

 above official list, as the most important races of the year are run at a mile-and-a- 

 half. A scale of weights for all ages over all courses, if issued in a tabulated 

 form by the Jockey Club, would be an acceptable boon to the racing community ; 

 as under the present system, clerks of the course often fix widely different weights 

 for races run on the same course, and on the same day. 



Until such be forthcoming, I venture to give the relative weights that should be 

 carried by horses of different ages over the various courses I have named, which, 

 if in an abridged form, may in some sort serve as a guide : — 



Table of Relative Weights. 



A two-year-old should give a yearling : — 

 Over half-a-mile, in October 2 st. 7 lb, 



A three-year-old should give a two-year-old : — 



Over five furlongs, in the Spring 2 st, o lb. 



,, six ,, ,, June 2 st. olb. 



,, ,, ,, ,, Autumn A few lbs. less, 



A four-year-old should give a three-year old : 



Over one mile, in the Spring 23 lbs. 



Over a mile-and-a-half, in June 20 lbs. 



Older horses, over both these courses should carry 5 lbs, to 7 lbs. more than the 

 four-year-olds. 



