RETURNING TO FORM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 53, 4 March 1931, Page 12

RETURNING TO FORM.

Salient looked like making a high-class pacer last season, but although he has shown a partial return to form this season he has hardly fulfilled expectations. It was found that he was suffering from a splint, which may have accounted for his indifferent showings. He is now on the improve, and is doing steady at Addington.

NO UNANIMITY. ' With nothing but dissatisfaction existing regarding the interpretation of the so-called handicapping system, it may be- expected that suggestions to improve the position will be fired in from all directions when the conference meets at the *»nd of the season. The handicapping of Mountain Dell and Free Advice on the second day of the Auckland meeting resulted in trainers and owners of horses engaged in the Mackenzie Handicap waiting on the A.T.C. Committee. Arising from that meeting, it has been arranged that three representatives will be appointed by the owners and trainers to again meet the committee and put forward any suggestions they feel will improve the position and be of benefit to the sport. The whole trouble with the present system is that even were handicappers consistent in their adjustments, there would still be dissatisfaction, because the owner of a useful horse who is called upon to concede starts to horses with faster records will always feel that the handicapping is not fair—and it is not.

A PECULIAR POSITION. The successes that have attended Paddy MeKinney',s efforts in New Zealand have shown to Australian writers the real weakness in the light harness sport in New Zealand, and it is generally regretted that another straight trotter in Huon Voyage is debarred from racing. Concerning Huon Voyage, a Sydney writer says:—"Huon Voyage is a beautiful trotter, and finished a close third in his race at Geelong. He was one of the horses to be offered by auction, but as th 6 V.T. and R.A. would refuse to give a clearance to any likely buyer the sale was 'declared oIT. This decision is puzzling to followers of the sport. Mr. McFarlane is quite at liberty to attend Richmond, can race his horses in the country, but cannot get a license to train or drive. He decided finally to get out of the game, as keeping a big string of horses for country meetings only is hardly a payable proposition at the present time. Needless to say. the latest action of the V.T. and R.A. has not increased Mr. F. B. McFarlane's love for the ruling body, and his case is again a leading topic. Huon Voyage would have been eagerly bid for, one leading Victorian owner being; oommissoried to go a. good price for a New Zealand sportsman. Matters are still at a deadlock, and in the meantime the horses are not allowed to leave the country as racing propositions." •