We were not overcrowded last week at Newmarket, and really the more
one takes racing from a business point of view, the more attractive it
becomes!--at least, I have found it so myself ever since it has been
my duty to acquire information for the benefit of my readers.
There was only one thing that annoyed me during the week, and that
was the inconsiderate behaviour of _Windgall_ in winning the October
Handicap, although it was a most extraordinary confirmation of my
remarks anent his performance in the Leicester Handicap, in my last
letter; but it _is_ annoying that, when you select a horse to win a
race, he runs _second_, and directly after wins a race for which he is
_not_ selected, beating the horse chosen by a length!--it puzzles me
completely, as it is impossible in this case to put it down to want
of good breeding! We were sorry not to have the _Buccaneer-Orvieto_
match decided, as it would have been the event of the meeting; but,
as the old proverb runs, "a wise owner is merciful to his beast," so
_Orvieto_ had an afternoon's rest at the price of £100!--rather more
than some people might be inclined to pay for a game of forfeits!
The time is not yet ripe--(has anyone _ever_ seen time get ripe, I
wonder?)--for disclosing what I know about the Cesarewitch--(I never
know whether I've spelt that correctly or not!--and the more you look
at it the "wronger" it seems!)--but I may mention that I've heard
great accounts of _Kingkneel_, who was bought the other day for Sir
GREENASH BURNLEY (the latest favourite of fortune, and beloved of
the ring)--and had he not earned a penalty--(this expression ought
to be changed, as it implies, to my mind, which is an _excellent_
average sample; a misdemeanor)--by winning a paltry thousand pounds
race somewhere; I really believe the Cesare--no!--not again!--was
at his mercy--but now, as the turf-writer puts it--"I shall look
elsewhere!"--as if _that_ would make any difference!--but of this
race, more anon, and meantime, those who are fond of the "good things"
of this life must not miss my selection for the big race of next week
at Kempton--on the Jubilee Course, which said course, I am told, is by
no means a Jubilee for the jockeys, owing to the danger in "racing for
the bend."
There are several horses entered who seem to have great chances,
making the race as difficult as a problem in _Euclid_--but my
selection will most certainly be "there, or thereabouts," which is a
comforting, if somewhat vague reflection.
Yours truly, LADY GAY.