124 GOODWOOD RACES. 



the last half-mile of the course. Upon this mould 

 another layer of turf was superimposed, the grassy 

 side being turned downwards, and over it another 

 three - inch layer of friable soil was spread, the 

 whole being crowned by sods, which, together with 

 the mould, were bought from a tenant farmer 

 who lived two or three miles away. Like all Lord 

 George's undertakings, this improvement of the 

 last half-mile of the course was conducted in no 

 half-hearted or perfunctory way. Nothing could 

 be more satisfactory than the results effected by 

 this heavy and well - directed outlay when the 

 season was dry. The mould was held in its place 

 by the double turfing, to which Lord George 

 previously had recourse at Danebury. On the 

 other hand, it was found that in wet weather this 

 portion of the course was very heavy going, as is 

 always the case with newly made ground. In 

 1848, for instance. Surplice could not raise a gal- 

 lop when opposed by Distaffina in the Gratwicke 

 Stakes, although Lord Chesterfield was well aware, 

 through his old mare. Lady Wildair, with whom 

 Surplice had been tried, that upon racing-ground 

 the Derby winner could give Distafiina two stone 

 and a good beating. In 1855, again, John Scott, 

 who never was partial to Goodwood, attributed the 

 defeat in the Ham Stakes of Mr Bowes's Fly-by- 

 Night, who was known to be very smart, to the 

 deep ground, through which Mary Copp, the win- 



