TROTTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 260, 2 November 1932, Page 16

TROTTING.

ABSURD HANDICAPPING. SYSTEM CRIPPLES BETTING. FAVOURITES AT ODDS-ON. DISCOURAGING TO BACKERS. Despite what the system lays down, the handicapping of Realty and Homeward on the second day of the Auckland meeting ■was farcical, and that Realty should beat Homeward was only in keeping with the first day's form. Providing the horses raced true to form, Homeward could not have any possible chance of beating Realty at the absurd handicap made, and the more one sees of the system, the more convincing is it that it will not be long before some clubs will be agitating for a return to the old and only .proper method, that is, handicapping to give every horse an equal chance of winning. No one could contend that under the present system every horse is handicapped to be given a winning chance; as a matter of fact, the handicappers know that some horses have as much chance of winning as they have of flying, but nothing can be done to alter the position.

There are some owners who still favour the system, or a system of fixed penalties, but they seem to forget that the amount of stakes a club can give depends almost entirely upon totalisator revenue. And the handicapping system, in Auckland, is affecting the totalisator returns. Where horses from various parts of the Dominion assemble to take part at a meeting the betting may not be affected to the detriment of a club, but where competition is almost wholly confined to local horses, as is the case at Auckland meetings, the form is so well known that the favourites start at such ridiculously short prices that numbers of backers prefer to look on rather than have a bet. In almost every race at the two meetings of the Auckland Trotting Club this season the favourite has been at odds-on, and no backer is going to be foolish enough to accept the odds, as he well knows that he must lose in the long run. The public like to see good racing, but they also like to see horses returning reasonable odds, and it is fairly safe to say that under proper handicapping where every horse is given a chance to win the betting would be more spirited than at present. The worst betting races in the galloping sport are the weight-for-age events, and trotting under tne present system where the racing is practically confined to local horses is just about on a plane with weight-for-age racing so far- as betting is concerned.

PURCHASES FOR AUCKLAND. Cimmaron has been purchased by Mrs. L. A. Stormont, and Worthy Crest, an older half-eister, by Messrs. Stormont Bros. THAT SCHOOLING LIST. To place a horse on the schooling list is inflicting a severe, penalty upon an owner, but there are occasions when the step should be taken. One does not wish to point to any particular horse or horses as meriting such treatment—Ahat is ajob for the stipendiary steward—but a. little more attention should certainly be given to this important aspect of the racing. LEFT BEHIND. The Christchurch owner-trainer, H. Stafford, had no luck with Pageant at the Auckland meeting, and the trip would be an expensive one. In the past Pageant had recorded some fine performances on heavy tracks, and with the conditions to suit him at Epsom he was expected jto run prominently. However, he failed to show up in any of his Btarts and was outclassed. Pageant did not return South after the meeting, being left behind to join F. Smith's team. ,

LUCK STILL OUT. A. Newdick is hiving a lean time -with his team and the immediate future is not bright. Dan Direct is nowcnra very tight mark, with no -nossibility of being let up to a winning mark. Usher is a' distinct disappointment and was beaten each day at the recent meeting, . after, being in second, place at the home turn. Kpi Grande, the trotter, is still giving trouble and goes lame every lame he is allotted fast work. -'. ;s . '' THE NEW ZEALAND CUP. Harold Logan's easy win in the New Zealand Cup Trial tit Wellington should have the. effect of making the champion a very warm favourite for the New Zealand Cup next week. The most brilliant pacer ever to race in the? Dominion over any distance, the son of Logan Pointer looks like winning his at Addingtoni Royal Silk, and Kingcraft are regarded as the pair likely to gwe Miss Ji. Hinds' idol most trouble.