LETTING-UP SYSTEM

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 120, 17 November 1936, Page 15

LETTING-UP SYSTEM

A DOUBTFUL CONCESSION

Because a' horse;, that has been granted a let-up'; by the handicapping committee of the New Zealand Trotting Conference is unable to win a race, its failure to do so cannot be held to justify a doubtful; method of keeping the old stars of the racetrack before the public. If Red Shadow had won the New Zealand. Cup last week, there would have been good reason for an outcry against the concessions granted this consistent . performer in the best company. Red Shadow earned a 4min 22sec mark when he won the New Zealand Cup in 1933, and he was given a let-up ifter failing to run into a place in the 1934 race. Last season he was also granted a y 12yds concession on his sprint mark, which enabled him to down a^high-class field at the August Meeting? He later finished third in the New-Zealand Cup from 4min 23sec, but was given a let-up of a further 12yds for the present season, coming in on 24yds better terms than in 1934;

Red Shadow, only how nine years old, was not sufficiently advanced towards a ."state of decay" two years' ago for any such risks to be taken with a horse once acclaimed champion pacer of New Zealand. It is unfair to the rising champions if those that have had their-"life" on the racetrack are permitted to meet them on terms all in favour of the older horses, particularly . when the older ones have not reached the age when a horse Is usually past its prime.