92 FLAT-RACING EXPLAINED. 



are handicaps framed on the basis of a level course, 

 but amongst the hidden secrets of racing, in a largo 

 measure, there lies and underlies, it should always 

 be remembered, the question of "gradient." 



Clerks of courses will be well advised never to 

 roll down long grass on their courses, as when it 

 happens that horses are made to race against the 

 edges of the grass rolled from the opposite direc- 

 tion, their chances of success are reduced to almost 

 nil. In cases where long grass must of necessity 

 be rolled late in the season, as on Newmarket 

 Heath, it must only be done so that the grass shall 

 lie in the direction the horses galloj), or the racing 

 will be altogether incorrect, if not positively unfair. 



I have seen jockeys over and over again disre- 

 gard this, with the result, by the use of the watch, 

 there has been a difference in a horse's running, 

 over the same ground, amounting to as much as 

 three or four lengths, and I have known it, even in 

 a Avell-contested race, to amount to something like 

 twenty lengths, the speed being in the latter case 

 extremely bad. 



It must not be taken that rolled grass is alone to 

 be met with on Newmarket Heath. I have seen it 

 at plenty of other places, but at none where the 

 work was so well done, or with anything approach- 

 ing the care, to ensure racing sliall not be interfered 



