WEIGHT 143 



and allowances which is adopted to make chances 

 more equal. It is impossible to give figures setting 

 distance against weight, saying for instance that a 

 length means 5 lbs., for the reason that races are run 

 over distances varying from five furlongs to three 

 miles — on rare occasions even more than three — and 

 the farther a horse goes the more the weight tells. If 

 the finish of a mile race is ridden out, and the winner 

 beats the second by a good length, the chances are 

 that with 5 lbs. less on the latter the two would have 

 as nearly as possible run a dead-heat, and in con- 

 sidering the relative capacity of the pair, the 

 handicapper would probably make that allowance. 

 Authorities differ. After a race, when the question 

 arises what beating the second has received, the 

 estimate of good judges not seldom varies to the 

 extent of several pounds ; but in such cases it will 

 often be found on investigation that prejudice has a 

 good deal to do with the opinions expressed. Success 

 in a race usually entails a penalty, and in many weight- 

 for-age contests, "maidens," that is to say horses that 

 have never won, have allowances of from 3 lbs. to as 

 much as seven times that figure. As a rule, 5 lbs. or 

 7 lbs. is the maiden allowance ; in almost every weight- 

 for-age race mares and geldings are allowed 3 lbs. The 

 fact that a man's clothes weigh 3 lbs. or 4 lbs. more or 

 less makes very little perceptible difference to him, 

 even when taking brisk exercise ; and when the strength 

 of a horse is considered, when, furthermore, one 



