RACING IN INDIA 141 



timing, beyond affording an approximate idea of a horse's 

 powers. 



On a heavy course a horse will take 4 or 5 s. longer 

 to do a mile than on a light one. 



Another thing to be considered is, that we must allow 

 at least half a second for the timer's own individual error, 

 while there is still more to be allowed for the way in 

 which horses get off, whether from a flying start or from a 

 walk. 



It does not at all follow that because a horse cannot 

 be got to do good time in private he is on that account a 

 moderate animal, for many, particularly stayers, require 

 the stimulus of company to make them extend themselves. 



When timing in private, the trainer should be most 

 careful to observe how his horses finish, for an animal who 

 finishes strong will always, provided he runs honest, beat 

 another that can do even slightly better time, but is " all 

 out " on nearing the winning-post. 



The following tables furnish instances of first-class 

 timing. For uniformity's sake, and because distances and 

 time are carefully measured there, I have given only 

 Calcutta records. I have rejected several which have 

 official sanction, some because they were "too good," 

 others because, owing to the nature of the course, the 

 exact moment of starting could not have been obtained. 

 Such instances (yich Appendix, " C. T. C. Book Eacing 

 Calendar," 1891-2) as b. a. gal. Turkish Flag, 10 st., 2 miles, 

 3 m. 46 s., and b. a. p. Minton, 8 st. 4 lbs., 1 mile, 1 m. 19 s., 

 both at Bombay, are manifestly absurd. 



