TRIAL
.—It is a common and prudent custom with those engaged upon the turf, to ascertain as near as possible, some tolerable idea of the probable future speed of their COLTS and FILLIES, before they put themselves to the expence of general training, or too confidently presume to become SUBSCRIBERS to large stakes, without at least a promising prospect of adequate qualifications. To acquire information so absolutely necessary for the regulation of future proceedings, there is only one sure and certain criterion (admitting of no alternative) upon which reliance can be made to avoid deception. This is to obtain a confidential trial against some horse whose superiority upon the turf is established, and who has given ample and repeated proofs of his powers in public. Such trial obtained, a proper opinion may then be formed, how far it will be prudent and profitable to continue the horse so tried in training, or discontinue the intent of his appearance altogether.
Trials between horses of superior qualifications, preparatory to their being engaged in matches or stakes of magnitude, are always considered matters of great consideration, and for which the most serious preparations are made. Upon the issue of such trials, engagements are sometimes entered into, upon the termination of which, many thousands eventually depend. It is therefore matter of indispensible necessity, they should not only be run with the most energetic opposition, but that the superiority in speed should be fully and clearly ascertained. Trials of this description are always conduced with the utmost secresy; for the better preservation of which, they generally take place at the very dawn of day, so soon as the lads can see to ride with safety; and these trials are considered of so much consequence at Newmarket, that if any feeder, rider, groom, stable-lad, or any other person concerned, is known to discover the result, or shall be detected in watching trials himself, or procuring other persons so to do, he is dismissed the service of his master with every stigma of disgrace, and rendered incapable of being again employed by a Member of the Jockey Club in any capacity whatever. See Jockey Club.