214 THE RACING WORLD 



racecourse, whether the turf be adamantine, hard, 

 good-going, soft, or heavy, is an important factor 

 over which he has no control, seeing that the very 

 great majority of the weights are allotted many 

 days before the racing takes place. Then the all- 

 important question of jockeyship comes in, and no 

 one can deny that this most important question 

 must invariably play a very material and decisive 

 part. That the apprentices' allowance of five 

 pounds would prove such a gold mine to those 

 in a position to secure the services of the ablest 

 young jockeys in handicaps was not dreamed of 

 by the most active adherents of the new rule ; 

 but far be it from me to say that that rule has not 

 been productive of good ; it has brought to the 

 front young blood at a time above all others when 

 it was sorely wanted, and will no doubt introduce 

 to us other accomplished youngsters in the course 

 of coming seasons. 



But this is almost a digression from the subject, 

 the pitfalls which surround the work of a handi- 

 capper. There are still to be considered the fitness 

 or preparedness for the contest of the horses taking 

 part in it ; possibly in some instances the intentions 

 of the owners or trainers. Then again, the chances 

 of some horses are jeopardised by bad behaviour, 

 or from other causes at the start, details which 



