424 HOESE PORTRAITURE. 



the horses make this morning, as being the measure of 

 their powers in a race. Here everything is advantageous. 

 The air is pure, and not a current to retard the progress 

 through it, the track is in fair condition much beyond 

 the average for making good time and the horses will 

 have nothing to trouble them, but will take the inside and 

 keep it, while the horse gallops in such a position as to 

 ensure getting the most out of them. I have known 

 horses that would go faster in a race than at a trial, the 

 excitement of the contest, and the animation induced by 

 the shouts of the multitude, bracing them to do more than 

 was thought to be in their power to accomplish. I sup- 

 pose you will commence with the Falcon, jogging him two 

 or three miles, opening him as many times by short 

 brushes up and down the stretch. You can drive him 

 past the stand one or twice, stop on the turn, drive back 

 to the distance post, and start for the trial at as good a 

 pace as you can drive him. If he breaks, recover him as 

 quickly as you can, and should he leave his feet imme- 

 diately preceding the score, I will not start the watch, so 

 you can pull him up and try again. 



PUPIL. Shall we gallop the horse with him from the 

 first, or wait for the repeat ? 



PBECEPTOB. We will wait till he makes the first mile, as 

 I want to see what difference the company will make, and 

 it would be too much work for the horse to run with both 

 of the trotters through all their trials. Very well. He 

 made the mile in 2 : 38, and the rate was very even for the 

 whole distance. I do not think he has displayed his 

 powers in full, as he appeared to be going too much at his 

 ease, and no one would imagine from his present looks 

 that he had been pressed at all. Throw the blanket on 

 him, and have the boy walk him up the stretch. There is 

 no use in giving him much time, as there is no distress to 

 recover from. 



