JAM FOR JOSEPH.

NZ Truth, Issue 103, 8 June 1907, Page 2

JAM FOR JOSEPH.

Handicapping Extraordinary.

When a . ifoandioapper frames the weights for a meeting he is usually the subject of .criticism, favorable- or. otherwise, and no doubt it is the aim of all weight-adjusters to allot the poundage m a imamier which will defy, the critic who setts admit finding a flaw. What is generally looked upon as a good trial of a toaivdicapper'-s merits is ib,js ability to draw good . acceptances, amid there can be no doubt that m the matter of acceptances lies the primary test, for it indicates a measure of. satisfaction among owners and trainers. Public opinion' can usually be' gauged 'by the totalisator figures, and when the latter run pretty evenly, it may be taken for granted . that the public ha V<e little fault to find with -the handicap, As a Jocal sport would say, it looks '-'very oben, Paddy, very oben." The real proof of the 'handicapping, however, comes out m the racing. The sport-loving public are always •delighted with- the ■hard-run, race, culminating m an. exciting finish, the club officials rub their hands tod 'gloat over the splendid sport they are providing, and tho bandicapper's heart is filled with joy, he wears a smile of satisfaction, and feels justly proud of his handiwork. Mr J. E. Henrys, who has long been recognised as th'e most successful handicapper m this colony, seems thisi season to 'have) quite surpassed all his former achievements . Some years ago, at Rajngdtikei, Mr Henrys had the pleasure to see four dead heats one afternoon as a result of his accurate adjustments, and, though he has not this year accomplished a similar feat, he has been most consistent m providing handicaps which ensure a high class of sport, and, everywhere invoke enthusiasm from the public and the press. Perhaps his best work was at the last Maaawatu meeting, but the Oamaru people seem to think he was m great form at their recent meeting, if the attendance and tote figures are a criterion. In addition to this, both papers were enthusiastic over !his efforts. Ctommerirttag on the first day's racing, one of the local papers said : "He has the satisfaction of seeing jhis work justified 'by several excellent finishes. No handicapper could desire anything better "than the finish m the Waiareka Hack

rated by more than a long neck, and the second division was equally close." The I 'Mail" said that his adjustments for the second day ''re^ suited m some magnificent races, and tire enthusiasm of the public proved conclusively that they were thoroughly enjoying the close finishes."-