126 THE ENGLISH TURF 



stride, and perhaps as directly different from Epsom as one 

 course can be from another. Yet the winner of the Derby 

 very often wins, and almost invariably secures a place, in 

 the St. Leger, and this is a strong argument in favour of the 

 reliability of the Epsom Course. If the latter were really 

 " fluky," as many of its detractors urge, we should not see 

 the Epsom form reproduced at Doncaster year after year, 

 and the winner of the Derby would seldom be the best 

 of his year. Doncaster provides a stronger test of stamina 

 than Epsom does, but Epsom Downs are a genuine test of 

 merit. The chief course at Doncaster is a " round " one, 

 and a few yards short of two miles in extent. The St. Leger 

 starting-post is just outside the paddock, and the horses 

 cover a distance of i mile 6 furlongs and 162 yards, or 

 practically run the circular track with the omission of the 

 furlong and odd yards which lie between the winning-post 

 and the end of the paddock. The first six furlongs are 

 straight, the field going away from the stands ; they then 

 begin to turn gradually to the left, and hereabouts is a 

 slight, quick rise, followed by a gentle fall. Towards the 

 Rifle Butts the horses are going straight again, but shortly 

 after passing the well-known red-brick buttress they begin 

 to come round to the left, and they reach the straight course 

 at the Intake turn, something more than half a mile from 

 home. There is another slight " elbow " in the run home, 

 and this is the one drawback to the course, as horses that 

 are well placed on the rails at this point most certainly 

 secure an advantage. From the Rifle Butts to the winning- 

 post there are no gradients whatever — or if there are they 

 are imperceptible — and it is this part of the journey which 

 tests the stayer. The Cup Course proper is 2 miles and 

 5 furlongs, the starting-post being close to the Red House ; 

 but of late years the Cup has been decided on a two-mile 

 course, the start for which is made directly opposite the 

 stands. There is a new straight mile (though the " elbow " 

 is comprised in it), and five- and six-furlong races are decided 

 on portions of it, but some of the mile races are decided on 

 the last mile of the St. Leger Course. 



The Spring Meeting at Doncaster is held at the end of 



