290 A MIRROR OF THE TURF. 



the public are quick to take all the long shots, 

 leaving the owner — what is left. 



It is most provoking, no doubt, for the owner 

 of a likely horse to find himself compelled to put 

 up with the skimmed milk of the market, persons 

 utterly unknown to him having secured the cream. 

 No wonder the owner, on receiving such provoca- 

 tion, works himself into a passion ; no wonder the 

 fiat of "scratch my horse" is at once issued. 

 What though the act be productive of some- 

 thing like a sensation ? A notification that " the 

 favourite is scratched " brings curses loud and 

 deep on the head of its owner. But probably he 

 has become callous to public opinion — his argu- 

 ment is: "The horse is mine own to do with 

 whatever I please ; I bought him ; I pay for his 

 corn and hay ; I find the fees of the jockeys by 

 whom he is ridden ; I pay all travelling expenses 

 and entry moneys, and therefore I shall do in the 

 matter as I think proper." 



These are strong arguments undoubtedly, 

 and well put, but they all point in the direction 

 of gambling. And that being so, there arises 

 another side to the story, which may be placed 

 before the reader in the following words. In 

 reality it is the general public who provide the 

 money which the bookmakers lay to owners 

 of horses ; as some owners never bet, whilst 

 others bet only to small sums, it is evident, 

 therefore, that without the aid of the crowns, 

 half-sovereigns, and pounds of the small bettors 

 it would be impossible for the bookmakers to 

 deal in those large sums which gentlemen oc- 

 casionally back their horses to win. Were only 

 the value of the stake to be run for at issue, 



