Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1891 edition. Excerpt: ...had a little more to do with the actual racing, as several times the management have been rather niggardly about giving the added money when fewer horses than the number specified have started for a race, and they might well take a leaf out of the book of the Sandown executive, who are liberality itself. Kempton has a better racecourse than Sandown, but there is a nasty turn so close home that often horses that are shut in have not time to challenge the leader. Both Fordham and Archer, and I think Cannon, have told me they never know what to do in riding on this course. If they make running round the turn the horses appear to tire, and something that has got round catches them and beats them, making it appear as if they had ridden down their horses when leading; and if they do the opposite, and wait, they stand the risk of being shut in and unable to get an opening till too late, not to mention the chance of horses that are being punished swerving in front of them. The turn has, however, been made much better in the last few years. The straight five-furlong course is a very tiring one,1 and it has the disadvantage of being at such a curious angle from the stands that it is very difficult to tell what has won in a close finish. But Kempton is a very pleasant place, and an enjoyable outing on a fine day, especially since its train service has been improved. Altogether the opening meeting was a success. Lord Hartington won the big handicap with a great fine raking mare called Eylstone, ridden by Fordham. Although by Hermit, she looked more like a young Melbourne mare. Just before Goodwood I went down to Manton TWO FAMOUS MARES 173 1 Archer used quaintly to describe it as like a sirloin of beef cut the wrong way. with Mr. Crawfurd, and there...
