62 EARLY RACING DAYS. 



it was built was confidently anticipated, although 

 it was a heavy cumbrous vehicle, with the wheels 

 running under it, an arrangement which elevated 

 the body so high that it was not easy to get the 

 horses inside. This difficulty w T as surmounted by 

 raising or banking up the surface of the ground 

 into a sloping approach. In order to ensure 

 success, Lord George sent Elis to Goodwood to 

 be prepared upon its splendid gallops, and to run 

 in the interim for his Goodwood engagements, 

 and for another at Lewes. The horse was under 

 the care of John Doe, who was also in charge 

 of Ascot, Arbaces, and Toss Up. Elis won the 

 Drawing-Room Stakes at Goodwood, and in re- 

 ward for his victory Lord George presented my 

 father with 25 for the following reason. The 

 day previous to the race Elis had a severe attack 

 of gripes, and Lord George thought all chance of 

 his being able to run was at an end. Even after 

 the horse's recovery, thanks to remedies suggested 

 by my father, Lord George feared that the effects 

 of the medicine would weaken Elis and prevent 

 his winning ; but my father assured his Lordship 

 to the contrary. After Elis had won the Drawing- 

 Room Stakes, his Lordship's hopes that he would 

 also win the Goodwood Cup began to revive. He 

 had backed the horse heavily for the Cup, which 

 was run two days after the Drawing-Room Stakes ; 

 but it was hardly to be expected that a three- 

 year - old should beat such a four - year - old as 



