TURF GOSSIP.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1189, 14 December 1894, Page 23

TURF GOSSIP.

WELLINGTON CUP WEIGHTS.

By “ Gipsy King.” The handicap for the above race will be found in another column. For many years I have held the opinion that it shoulcl. be no part of a sporting writer’s duty to have to criticise in detail the adjustment arrived at by handicappers. But, like many others in the past, I have written columns m denunciation of a handicapper’s work, when the occasion warranted it, not because i considered it my duty, but because I had to obey instructions. However, X now have a free hand, practically, in a matter like this, and I take this opportunity ot offering the explanation, in case any or my numerous readers should remark the absence of any criticism on the above handicaps. The owners or trainers who nominate horses are the only people affected by an improper handicap, and if they are dissatified with the handicap allotted to their horses, they should take the first opportunity of scratching the horse or horses they consider badly treated, as after tho handicaps have been issued all the writing in the world cannot alter them, and it is preferable to use the scratching pen, as a hint to the handicapper that his handicap has not been equitably adjusted.; And if an owner or trainer still feels aggrieved, he can write a letter to any paper and ventilate his grievance. Many owners r think,, that if they sign their name to a letter adversely criticising a handicap the handicapper responsible will ever afterwards have a “ set” on them. But if it were found that a handicapper “ bore malice,” the racing cluls employing such a man would soon shunt him. My refusal to criticise, or pull a handicap.to pieces, may probably be termedan “advanced” opinion, but, nevertheless, it is commonsense. It is almost time owners and trainers attended to their own business in. this respect. The handicaps for the Wellington Cup appears to me to be a fair production, as there are.one or two horses nominated that are very difficult to handicap. Those that I consider have a chance, at the weight they have now, are Prime Warden, Skirmisher, Lady Zetland, Royal Rose, Rosefeldt,' Golden Plover, Pinrose, Mahaki, Musket, Purepo, Casket, Marino and Searchlight, and, to reduce the number, will select Skirmisher and Lady Zetland as the best treated. An owner can land a good stake in connection with this year’s Cup, as he should have little difficulty in getting from £SOO to £BOO in the local betting market.

THE STARTING MACHINE. The Wellington Racing Club have completed negotiations for the erection of three of Gray’s starting machines on the Hutt Park Racecourse, and they will be used at the Wellington Cup Meeting next month for the six furlong, one mile, and one mile and a half races. The executive of the Club, recognising that further improvements may be perfected in starting machines, have not arranged for the use of Gray’s patent beyond the meeting mentioned. The best thanks of horse-owners and the sporting public is due to the Club for the progressive step they have taken, and the committee are to be commended for their business foresight in declining to commit themselves for any lengthened term to any particular patent, as with so much rivalry going on between the different patentees of the starting machines it is more than likely that in the near future even the present machines may be obsolete. There is no harm in being “ up-to-date.”