84 FLAT-RACING EXPLAINED. 



The basis of weight should be the actual and not 

 the assumed basis of merit. For instance, it is ob- 

 viously unjust that horses of four years and up- 

 ward having no records, in the sense that their 

 merits may have been concealed, should be per- 

 mitted to race with three-year-olds on the same 

 terms. In such cases weight governed by rule 

 would alone be a corrective. 



I cannot but think the scale of weight-for-age, 

 devised by that gallant sportsman, Admiral Rous, 

 and since 1873 "modified to satisfy practical sug- 

 gestions," yet needs careful revision in respect of 

 two-year-olds racing with older horses in the spring 

 and summer months. Tliere is little room for 

 doubt the terms as set are by far too mucii in favor 

 of the older horses. 



The nursery handicaps, commencing in Septem- 

 ber, that we have been familiar Avith, can only be 

 said in point of merit to have been of an exceeding- 

 ly doubtful kind. It is true an occasional close 

 finish may be seen. But so far as "close finishes" 

 are concerned, these prove little beyond the fact 

 that horses running on the most unequal terms now 

 and again so run, and will continue to do so, and be 

 as devoid of merit as over, as long as jockeys ride 

 "waiting" races. 



Nursery handicaps, however, compiled with all 



