60 HAN^DBOOK OF THE TURF. 



Complaint. A charge made by one rider or driver 

 against another for foul driving, or other misconduct during a 

 heat. Such complaint must be made at the termination of 

 the heat, and before the driver dismounts or leaves his sulky. 

 By the racing rules, such complaint must be made to the 

 judges either before or immediately after the jockeys in the 

 race have passed the scales. For frivolous complaints owners, 

 trainers or jockeys may, at the discretion of the judges, be 

 fined or suspended. 



Conditions. [Eng.] The conditions of the Grand Na- 

 tional Hunt races are : Riders must not ride for more than 

 one hundred yards at any one time on any road or lane ; riders 

 not passing the post within fifteen minutes of the winner to 

 pay double entry ; any rider examining the course before start- 

 ing will be disqualified. By the American racing rules, the 

 express conditions of a race always supersede the general rules, 

 where they conflict. 



Conditional Entries. A private understanding made 



between the owner of a horse and a society or association when 



the horse is nominated ; an entry made outside the rules. The 



rules of both the National and American Associations attach 



severe fines to any member receiving conditional entries. 



The great injustice of the conditional entry is that it practically abol- 

 ishes the closinjj: dale for entries for one man, while it leaves it 

 open for the oilier.— Spirit of the Times. 



Conditioning". The fitting of the horse, in every part 

 of his body, for his best performance upon the turf. It re- 

 quires long, studious exercise, feeding and training, and a 

 complete understanding of the disposition and peculiarities of 

 the horse, that he may respond quickly to the wishes of his 

 trainer, driver or rider. When a horse is in blooming condi- 

 tion he is fresh and healthy in appearance, clean and unloaded 

 in his muscular system, bright in the eye, glossy in the coat, 

 clean on the legs, and animated in expression. His muscles 

 will feel hard and springy to the touch, and swell out, espe- 

 cially in the hind quarters, where they should seem divided 

 and distinct from each other. The crest should be firm, and 

 closely attached to the neck. When the hand is drawn along 

 the ribs the skin should wrinkle up and appear loose and 

 detached. In walking, his feet should strike the ground with 

 a positive step, and his neck, held high, should rise and fall 

 springily. The horse, in the best condition, has an inquisitive 

 look, notices everything with pricked ears, and has a noble 

 expression indicative of confidence and self purpose. 



Cone. That part of the hub of a pneumatic sulky wheel 

 which holds the ball bearings in place in the casing, or piece 



