CARTOON - ON A GOOD WICKET

The cartoon shows a horse dressed as a gentleman of leisure, complete with smoking jacket, relaxing in a comfy armchair whilst smoking and enjoying being served champagne by a young boy, who has the word ‘Australia’ etched on his collar. The young boy is struggling with a large bottle of champagne on a tray as well as a glass and what could be serviettes or betting tickets. People at the time would have recognised this young boy, the ‘Little Boy From Manly,’ as representative of Australian patriotism. It was an iconic image that was a feature of Australian cartoons from the late 19th century onwards.
The cartoon suggests that the horse-racing industry is benefiting greatly from the fascination Australians have for the sport; Australia is literally in thrall to horse-racing.
The cartoon is commenting on the dominant position occupied by the horse-racing industry in Australia. Given that in 1918 Australia was still immersed in WW1, governments were worried that the population was becoming distracted by sport in general, and horse-racing in particular, with particular concern about working-class gambling.
It was noted in the Western Mail on the 29 December 1916 that

Christmas week in Perth witnesses a veritable orgy of horse racing. It is the final feast of a community (taking the State as a whole) which averages something more than a meeting of one sort and another for every week-day in twelve months.
Two select committee hearings into WA horse racing were held in 1905 and 1915, and both noted the excessive number of horse races in the state, and problems posed by the establishment of pony racing courses at the beginning of the 20th century. The demise of horse-racing as a sport, in favour of it primarily as a forum for betting, was of particular concern. The racing of horses on the pony courses that were too young over short courses also suggested the focus of the industry was not on ‘improving the breed’ but on making money. The Committee reports were particularly scathing of off-course betting as this would attract working-class punters, who were potentially less able to afford to bet.
Other states in Australia undertook similar investigations into horse-racing. In Queensland, parliamentary debate took place in July 1915 regarding the excessive nature of horse-racing in the state.
In 1917 fears about the excessive number of horse races and the popularity of pony racing amongst the working classes resulted in the Western Australian Parliament passing the Racing Restriction Act. This restricted the number of days on which horse racing could take place and also led to the abolition of pony racing. The Act, however, also increased the influence of the WATC (Western Australian Turf Club) and the WATA (Western Australian Trotting Association). They now had control of licensing in their codes.
The cartoon, therefore, picks up on the concern of Governments throughout Australia regarding the dominance of the horse-racing industry. It emphasises where power and influence is located.