i8o THE RACING WORLD 



inevitably to lose money ; so, obviously, to do this 

 is to do v^rong. If a man goes racing constantly 

 and understands the game he w^ill do far better, in 

 the long run, if he makes up his mind for himself, 

 instead of letting it be made up for him, even by 

 the astutest of his friends. 



Going to Goodv^ood a fev^ years ago I was 

 asked to mark a lady's card, and, having paid con- 

 siderable attention to the day's racing, I did so. 

 After the third race, while crossing the lawn, I 

 met her in a great state of jubilation. She had 

 backed all three winners, had won thirty pounds, 

 and placed such reliance on my judgment that she 

 had it all down on the animal I had marked for 

 the fourth race. I myself, having listened to what 

 I had heard from various kind friends, had backed 

 seven or eight horses without touching a winner, 

 and had backed two for the forthcoming race, 

 leaving out, however, the animal I had marked in 

 the train, which started at 6 to i and got home 

 comfortably by half a length. This is a little 

 experience which I expect a good many other 

 backers could cap. 



A friend of mine in the year 1885 was tremend- 

 ously struck by the way in which Minting carried all 

 before him. He knew Matthew Dawson's opinion 

 of the colt, had a proper respect for his judgment, 



