276 5 TEEPLE- ChA sing 



cheque, which is not an intellectual or difficult per- 

 formance in a general way, supposing that a man has a 

 balance at his banker's — w^hen someone w^ho is not thus 

 equipped obtains money for his cheque, ingenuity of a 

 more or less reprehensible character may have been 

 employed. A man's trainer advises him as to the 

 purchase of the animal, a well-bred youngster with 

 make and shape to recommend him, or a recognised 

 performer, as the case may be. The trainer has the sole 

 charge of the horse during its preparation ; he points out 

 where the chances of winning races are best, where it 

 shall be entered and where struck out. He conveys it 

 to the scene of action ; often hires a jockey ; gives him 

 instructions how to ride ; tells the owner what in his 

 opinion the prospects of success are, and often — if un- 

 fortunately the owner bets — drops a suggestion as to how 

 much it w^ill be safe to risk in that ever-whirling 

 Charybdis, the betting-ring. 



The chesnut wins, and Mr. Saddlington is discussed 

 as if the whole thing had depended on his knowledge and 

 dexterity ; or the bay loses, and men condole wdth 

 Cropper, or perhaps inquire among themselves how so 

 notorious a donkey can expect to win races. But wdth 

 a chaser it is different. Cropper can probably ride a bit ; 

 if he can't, he thinks he can, w^hich is to a great extent, at 

 least so far as the fun is concerned, the same thing. He 

 goes down to his training quarters, and has a spin over 

 the fences. It may be that he is going to ride his own 

 animal in the race for which it is being prepared, and 

 if so, he will very likely be in the saddle when the trial 

 takes place, supposing always that the horse is tried ; 

 for some good judges hate trying horses if they can do 

 without it ; that is to say, so long as they see that the 



