WEIGHT-FOR-AGE SCALE

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 141, 16 June 1936, Page 13

WEIGHT-FOR-AGE SCALE

Although the weight-for-age scale in England is naturally a different scale from that used in New Zealand and Australia, for the seasons in the two hemispheres are different and the conditions of racing vary considerably, besides which the English scale is not a fixed thing but has been periodically slightly modified and revised, there is still a considerable general resemblance between them, and any comment on or criticism of the English scale may be usefully considered in reference to our

own scale, which has remained practically stable since it was first set up in the early days of Australian racing. , At the end of April the existing English scale was reviewed by the stewards' of the English Jockey Club, and, after hearing the considered opinions of experts, it was their finding that it (would be difficult to improve on the present scale. A statement subsequently issued by the stewards was as follows:—

"The present scale of weight-for-age, as printed at the commencement of the Rules of Racing, is founded on the scale published by Admiral Rous in 1873, with slight subsequent revision. This scale is not intended to be obligatory, but merely to serve as a guidance when framing conditions of weight-for-age races. "The stewards of the Jockey Club recently invited certain practical authorities to give their views as to whether changes in the scale are now desirable. An analysis of sixteen replies gives the following results:—

Four recommended no change in the present scale. The remainder are practically unanimous in advocating only slight alteration. I Four are of opinion that two-year-olds should receive rather more weight from older horses in the early part of the year. Seven consider that three-year-olds should receive more weight from older horses in the early part of the year. Eleven are of opinion that three-year-olds receive rather too much weight from older horses in the autumn, Especially in races of one mile or less. Other comments are that the running of two-year-olds against older horses in the early part of the year is to be deprecated; that the scale of penalties arid allowances in some important weight-for-age races needs revision; that the weights should be raised'to enable stronger jockeys to ride.

"The stewards think it very remarkable that, after a period of more than sixty years, the scale of weight-for-age founded by Admiral Rous. still affords so little ground for criticism."