276 THE RACING WORLD 



" I suppose the mare will win ? " says No. i . 



*' I think so. I have not backed her yet, but I 

 shall," says No. 2. " They seem to fancy the 

 other, though. There is a lot of money for him." 



" Yes, but I don't believe he has speed enough. 

 I'm more frightened of the three-year-old?" 



" Too far for him, I think, and too much 

 weight. I shall only back the mare," is the 

 response. 



But what mare and which " other one " and 

 who is the three-year-old, our innocent friend in 

 the corner of the carriage wonders ? If he were a 

 racegoer he would at once understand that " the 

 mare " is the favourite for the principal handicap 

 of the week, that the " other one " is the second 

 favourite, and with 100 to 9 bar two, the only 

 animal besides this couple that seems worth taking 

 into consideration is a good class three-year-old of 

 whom the handicappers have a high opinion. 

 Our racegoers are not for a moment endeavouring 

 to be incomprehensible ; they are scarcely aware of 

 the existence of our inquiring friend, who, eager 

 to learn something, heartily wishes that they 

 would be a little — a good deal — more definite. 



" I suppose those people will win the Selling 

 Race again to-morrow .? " presently says No. 2. 



" I haven't really looked at it," No. i answers,. 



