252 THE RACING WORLD 



primed the bookmakers with the news that this 

 horse had not done sufficient work to be got ready 

 in time for the race, even if a start were made from 

 that date many of the layers would, when the 

 commission was executed, perhaps open their 

 hearts a little, and in consequence the owners 

 would get an extra price. The bookmaker 

 thought he knew more than the owner and 

 trainer, and, despite the fact that the layer is a 

 man who is the first to accept that very true axiom 

 that " Money talks," he would to a certain extent 

 place some confidence in the information given to 

 him by his tout. It was a very great advantage to 

 let the market firmly settle down before backing 

 any animal. As a rule, when once a market had 

 become firm — the horses that were backed before 

 by the owners having led to a lot ot public 

 money being also placed on them — the price 

 obtained about the new candidate tor honours was 

 a generous one. 



There are many tales which I could tell, had 

 I space, of horses which have been prepared 

 stealthily at night, or in the daytime when the 

 " men of observation " were away ; in fact, it was 

 no uncommon thing for touts to be touted by 

 another tout employed by the owner or trainer. 



One of the most curious sights I ever saw was at 



