HANDICAPPING CORRESPONDENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 179, 29 July 1903, Page 8

HANDICAPPING CORRESPONDENCE.

Auckland, July 25, I^ o3 - Sir-The following is some ot the_ correNational Hurdle liace, run la.t June. May 11. IUO3. The Committee Auckland Raelug Club. Gentlemen.-I think In to yourselves Mr Bvctt, uud myself, an inquiry should 5 held by you for the purpose of oci-iiio' Air Evett to give an ei.p'anation vl h?s nlnXcaXg of AwahuiM and Caflnonga\ehrSe P arand National t landicapH-- : die Race. My reason for asking foi this ex n auatioii is that in the Hurdle Kace held S a El£slie'ou the 14th April lost, over a distance of two miles, Awahuri was' ed at l-'st 31b and Uannongate at list,7lbn difference of 101b in Cannongate s favour. My horse did not start for that race, but Awahuri started and won the race in very fast time Neither of the-horses have raced sinceand Mr Evett has now declared the SeL'hts for the Grand National Hurdle Kara This race is run over the same course and the distance Is the same, out Mr L\ett handicaps Awahuri at list and Cannongate at list 61b, thus making Ctinnongate give Awahuri Gib, while only, three weeks ago he handicapped Awahuri to give' Canm>ngate 101b. You will therefore see that in three weeks' time, without either noise starting [n the meantime, my horse has now to meet Awahuri on 101b worse terms. 1 might have asked Mr Evett personally for an .explanation but consider the proper course is to "sk through the committee. The great difference in the weights must be my exc&se tor troubling o^waAhJjm

Auckland Racing Club, July 3, 1003.

Dear Sir,'—l am instructed to Inform you that Mr Bvott admits, after reading your letters, that if there was any mistake It occurred on the third day of .he Autumn Meeting in not keeping Awahurl s andLannongate's weight closer together. — lours obediently, pBECIVAI% See .

Auckland, July 13, I'JO3.

Gentlemen,—Your letter of the 3rd lust. I received upon my return to lowu, giving Mr Evett's explanation re handicapping t'annongate and Awahuri. 1 must say 1 reel rather surprised that you should have forwarded such an explanation, as it is really no answer to my complaint. For your information I give you the extract from your secretary's letter:—"Mr Evett admits after reading your letters that 'if there was any mistake , it occurred on the third day of the Autumn Meeting in not keeping Awahuri's and Cannongate's weights closer together. I can hardly imagine your accepting such a reply and consider the proper course to adopt was to have sent his lector back for further information, which 1 wish you now to do I need only further say that 1 cannot believe any one of the committee, had they lodged a complaint similar to mine, (vould be satisfied with the explanation given by Mr Evett. For your Information I will 'mention the weights given to those horses mentioned at the Autumn and Winter Meetings (Hurdles), and i think 'after perusing them you cannot help but come to the conclusion that the handlcapper has, to sp.y the least of it, been most careless in his work: — AUTUMN MEETING. First day—Cannongate, list 71b; Awahuri, . 10st : 71b. _ , Second day — Cannongate, Wst; Awahuri, list 71b. Third day — Cannongate, list ?vb; Awahuri, 12st "31b. ' WINTER MEETING. Cannongate, list 01b; Awahuri. list. You will therefore see that on the first day of the Autumn Meeting Cannougate was conceding Awahuri 141b, on the second day he was conceding him Ylbs, but on the third day Awahuri was conceding Cannongate lulu—a uitt'erence of 171b in Cannougates favour—but in the Grand National Hurdles (the weights of which were cellared about three weeks after) you will see tnat Cannongate has to give Awjaburi 61b—a difference of 161b in Awahuri's favour Crom the last handicap. 1 might just remind you that Awahuri won the three races at the Autumn Meeting, and that Caucongate was a non-starter in those races. In conclusion, 1 wish to state that I do not intend racing at any meeting where Mr Evett handicaps, wlitch practically means that i will be unable to race in Auckland. — Yours truly, JNO. MARSHALL.

Auckland Racing Club, July 17, IUOa. Dear Sir,—l am Instructed by the committee to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 13th Inst., and in reply to say that while expressing regret at the decision to which you have come, they cau lake no further action in the matter. —Yours faithfully, Wni. PERCIVAL., Sec.

I regret very much that the majority of the committee have come to the conclusion not to take any further'action in the matter Handicapping such as I have mentioned tends to make owners run their horses so as to try and deceive the bandicapper. I can safoly say that since I have been raeIn"- now about 20 years, I have neither attempted to deceive either handlcapper or the racing public, and I don't think I will commence that practice now.— \'ours truly, JNO. MARSHALL.