Healesville Guardian and Yarra Glen Guardian (Vic. : 1898 - 1900), Saturday 29 October 1898, page 2


WOMEN &ND HOIRSE RA!CING. JUDGE Molesworth has been greatly shocked because one of his feminine clients in the Insolvency Court unblushingly acknowledged having made a wager on the Caulfield Cup.. We read, " The .open .confession of the :wi6iai that she made the 'bet .,hcrself on the couise' grieved Judge Molesworth," and he reflected, " it is a most pitiable sight to see these women making wagers on the racecourses. Per!aps it is a pitiful sight, but it is much too common -to be shbocked at every time. People who visit Melbourne to-. day to see the Derhy, or who intend Iwitnessing the Cup on Tuesday next, muy see a great many women " hacking their fancy," and showing their familiarity wih :the turf by going-womnanlike-from hookinaker to bookmaker, trying to fiid where they may secure the longest point of odds. It is not a particularly uedifying spectacle truly, but still it is to be seen. Not only are women to he seen betting that certain horses will -win; some of them have actually set up in opposition to the l,ookmakers, and may be heard lustily " calling the odds." Others, who have not attained to this standing in the profession, are content to act as clerks fo, their husbands; whilst not a few engage in pronmoting sweeps, or "running totes." Roow would .udge ] Molesworth lie shocked at witniessing these sights ! Yet it is impossille to visit that part of the Flemnington racecourse known as the flat, on any race dac: in .the year, without olserving vomen' engaged in the occupations in

dicated. Still, we are not shocked. The fact is our capacity for becomuiug shocked is just about worn out. If the female class were to contin. themselves to sutfrage extension with the same vigor and vitality that they display in connection with horse ratin:r, it would be Iut a short time ere they would have their ambition gratified.