RACE POOLS 233 



on each horse ; the total number being automatically 

 shown. The tickets bear the number of the horse and 

 the name of the race, so that all the backer has to do is 

 to pay his money and take his ticket. Every machine 

 should be in electrical communication with the judge or 

 other official, who should be able to effectively lock it the 

 moment the starter's flag falls. Having frequently seen 

 the ordinary form of machine " manipulated," I must say 

 that I prefer to it the kind used in South Africa. In it a 

 book of tickets (somewhat like a cheque-book), numbered 

 in succession, is placed before each number. The tickets 

 on being purchased are torn out of these books in the 

 sight of all men, and given to the buyers. The public can 

 thus see whether or not any one attempts to take tickets 

 after the race, and the numbers taken remain on record 

 until all the winners are paid. 



Race Pools may be got up by any number of persons 

 who bid for choice of horses entered for a race, the buyer 

 of the winner of which takes the several amounts bid for 

 the other horses. Say, for instance, that the horses Lancer, 

 Gaylad, Breeze, and Phantom were entered for a certain 

 race ; the auctioneer would then ask, " How much for first 

 choice ? " Suppose A bid Es. 50, B bid Es. 70, and D 

 finally got it for Es. 500, D would then have the choice 

 of any one of the four horses. Let us say that he took 

 Gaylad. The second choice for Lancer, Breeze, and 

 Phantom would, in the same manner, be put up to 

 auction : and suppose A got it for Es. 400, and 

 took Lancer; also that B got Breeze for Es. 80, and 

 that C bought Phantom for Es. 120, the pool would 

 thus stand : — 



