26 FLAT-RACING EXPLAINED. 



was thought to be good enough to cause him to 

 start for the St. Leger with the call In the market 

 at 6 to 5 on. 



If the race for the St. Leger had been a handi- 

 cap, Jeddali obviously would have been top weight, 

 and at the very least would have been set to give 

 Wildflower 7 lbs. As it was, the latter colt met 

 Jeddah on even terms, both carrying 9 St., and yet 

 Wildfowler beat Jeddah by four lengths. If the 

 principle of handicapping is worth anything it 

 would show conclusively that it would make this 

 kind of running impo:^s:blo, but this we know can- 

 not be done, and as a matter of fact never is done, 

 in any handicap ever framed. 



The real explanation in the case of Jeddah is that 

 which applies with equal force to the running of 

 Persimmon, St. Frusquin, Georgic, and every other 

 horse seen on a race course— that is, special adapta- 

 tion and peculiarity in respect of gradient. When 

 horses win in fast-run races they are obviously 

 on a right gradient; when their speed is slow, and 

 they are seen to labor in their stride, they are on a 

 wrong gradient. 



About the peculiarity of horses in this respect, 

 a great deal might be written. There are some 

 alone adapted to race on courses perfectly level, 

 and they are of no practical good when put to 



