QUALIFICATIONS
—appertain, in a particular degree, to the subject of RACING upon the TURF, and is used in a certain signification. Plates of 50l. are given at numerous places of sport, to be run for on certain conditions; some by COLTS and FILLIES of three years old; some four years old; others five and six; and, lastly, for HORSES of all AGES and QUALIFICATIONS. The precise meaning of which is, that a horse equal in AGE to one or more of his competitors, may be very superior in qualifications; in which case it becomes necessary and equitable to bring their abilities more upon an equality, by so encreasing the weight which one is to carry above the standard of the other, that there may be left very little probability of deciding upon the certainty of superiority in SPEED, when the impartial and judicious adjustment of weight is so properly fixed, as to leave an equal hope and expectation of winning the PRIZE for which they are to start. To render such mode the less liable to objection, it is mostly the custom to say in the advertisements, a winner of one plate in the present year to carry 3lb. the winner of two, 5lb. and of three, or more, 7lb. extra.