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REESTABLISHMENT OF BRITISH SPORTS England" EjyoingiReyivalijEige Expectations Big Boom for Racing. LONDON. England, February 3. England is enjoying a sport revival that is exceeding even the most sanguine hopes of the followers of sports. Boxing, racing, all varieties of tennis, rowing everything is booming. In- discussing the armistice and sport, the London Field says: "Since the armistice was proclaimed a gradual but none the less decided change has taken place with regard to practically all the field sports of the country, and as the days wear on the ehang-. will be more marked in every direction. In the majority of the field sports of the British Isles it is rc-establishmenf rather than reconstruction which is wanted and which is now being brought about. In racing the change is perhaps he most marked, simply because the sport has during the last four years been reduced to about a fourth of its pre-war dimensions, and last year was almost entirely confined to Newmarket, the few eountry fixtures which were held, being brought to an end during the month of May. "Now a full program of meetings almost of normal strength has been issued, with all the old and important fixtures to take place on their usual dates. Cross-country racing, too was resumed on New Years Day, and though there were those who caviled when a certain not large number of meetings were announced there are indications to Hie effect that had more fixtures lieen decided upon there would have been a scarcity of horses. As things are there would appear to be a sufficient number of cross-country horses in training for the two days of racing in eaclt week for which arrangements have been made, but ther.. would surely be a scarcity had the number 6f fixtures been doubled, though it is reasonable to infer tiiat the number of horses rendered fairly fit to run will show a continuous increase. REAP BENEFIT. "It must Ie reinemlxred that not many weeks ago the prospect of there being any winter racing seemed to be remarkably doubtful, and many stables in which steeplechase horses are trained were either denuded of inmates or contained horses which had done little or 110 work, and could not be made fit all in a moment; but, as was perhaps natural, some of the more optimistic owners and trainers had rightly anticipated the situation, and such men are now reaping the benefit. As regards flat racing, it should be borne in mind that whereas before the war tiie iiumler of horses in training was semewhere about 4.000. it was last year stipulated by the authorities and agreed by the stewards of the Jockey Club that the number should, not be more than 1.200. "This means broadly that there were in 101S less than a third Hie usual number of flat r leers in work, and though the number was sufficient fur the few races which were run the ranks must be gradually filled up. Since 1915 and onward scores of thoroughbreds have been bred which have never been put into training, many fillies have been kept for tin; stud, and colts which were not particularly promising have been put to other work. It should then be no surprise that the spring handicaps have received fewer entries than usual, but it is probably intended that almost all of. those entered shall run, and under any circumstances the class is good: also it must be remembered that the merits of a field of horses do not depend on its numerical size. "As regards turf reforms, of which a good deal has lMen heard of late, the Jockey Club may be trusted to look after the interests of all concerned, us it lias done in the past. There js some agitation as to the question of added money, and figures of foreign races are being quoted, which at first glance seem to suggest that in this country owners themselves subscribe to a great part of the stakes. MAINTAIN HIGH STANDARD. "But racing is conducted in the British Isles on lines which nil tend toward maintaining the high standard of the thorougbred and not altogether as 11 spectacular performance. The suggestion that the Ccsarewiteh should be run on a round course is. in our opinion, much to be deprecated, for we hold the view that the present course offers a greater test of merit tliau does any other cup course in the kingdom. When horses have turns to negotiate in the course of a race there must, be some easing up, and frequently a scrimmage, for jockeys will try for inside berths which means less ground to be covered. "But when horses race 011 such a course as that used for the Cesarewitch, two miles and a quarter with no turn in it and only one gradual and slight lxml more than a mile and quarter from home, the chances of scrimmage are minimized and strength and staying power art served in the fullest degree."
