BETTING. 303 



how one trainer (who had caused a horse to be 

 pulled at Newmarket) won tens of thousands of 

 pounds, and how (with an animal that had run 

 no faster than an indifferent hack on its two or 

 three previous essays) a fortune was made by 

 another. A few men who have the wit to make 

 money have likewise the wit to keep it ; but the 

 figure of the rocket and the stick is applicable 

 to many plungers who have landed coups. Men 

 who have schemed to win, and succeeded in 

 winning, great races, are driving cabs, possibly 

 drawn by the crocks that have helped to ruin 

 them. One well-known man, who made at least 

 two fortunes, and who was talked of and envied 

 as a wonderfully lucky owner, lost every penny 

 he possessed, and became timekeeper on a line of 

 omnibuses. Luck comes — and goes. 



What, then, it may be asked, should be done 

 by the race-goer, who likes to feel some greater 

 interest in the race than the mere spectacle of 

 the struggle can afford ? There is something to 

 be said for the plan of supporting favourites ; 

 because a horse is not likely to attain that 

 favouritism unless it has done good work at 

 home, and commanded the confidence of its 

 stable. Favourites are, of course, made and 

 worked up in the market on occasions for 

 deceptive reasons ; but, as a rule, to " follow the 



