140 Indian Racing Reminiscences. 



far from a pleasant mount on the impetuous Kingcraft, 

 while his party netted about Rs. 7000 over the transac- 

 tion. So many morals might be drawn from this story, 

 that I refrain from giving any. 



Some time after this, Captain Franks bought the real 

 Gamester, and brought him up to run for the steeple- 

 chase in the spring meeting at Lucknow in 1873. Mr. 

 Macleod, after riding a beautifully judged waiting race 

 on Delphos, defeated Captain Franks on Gamester 

 over the Meryaon course. Although the chesnut horse 

 received nearly three stone from the pale-faced one, 

 still the excuse was made for him that he was not fit, 

 while it was asserted that he could be improved more 

 than that difference. 



In those days there dwelt in the North-West a well- 

 known plunger, who, from his exploits in the country 

 of the Celestials, was known to fame as " China Jim." 

 I could tell the wondrous story he related to me of his 

 looting the golden gods during the sacking of the 

 Summer Palace, but refrain, as it has nothing to do with 

 India or racing. As maidens for the Constable Cup 

 received, by its conditions, two stone from platers, Time, 

 late Gamester, was " spotted " as " the good thing " of 

 the meeting. That now eminent financier, China Jim, 



