DIFFERENT ASSESSMENTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23442, 5 March 1938, Page 22

DIFFERENT ASSESSMENTS

THE CASE OF AXMINSTER, The different assessments at the Wellington and Thames trotting meetings of the Auckland pacer Axminster give rise to some confusion the regulations of the handicapping system and the interpretations of the respective handicappers (says Abaydos). Taking into account that Axminster has won £7O in place money, Mr A. Tronson has given the horse 12yds penalty as provided for by the rules of handicapping, but Mr G. Paul has placed Axminster on the limit in the-" same class events at Wellington. After the Auckland meeting Mr Tronson reassessed Axminster on line two, but the Handicapping Committee altered it again to line one. evidently basing the handicap on the rule which provides that nd penalty is incurred by any horse which finishes third, except in a class faster than his assessed mark, but this again appears to be covered by another clause which states 'that the previous rule does not apply to maiden horses. Clause 12 states: 'Maiden horses—i.e., horses that have neithe won a race nor have earned £7O in place money, exclusive of trophies—shall not alter their assessments until they wm a race, unless they finish second in a class faster than is set out on line six of their table, in which event the time mark from which they finish. second shall become the basis of their future assessment." Clause 13 provides: "That no penalty shall be incurred by any horse which finishes third, excepting in the event of his being third nr a class faster than his assessed mark, in which case the time from which he started shall become the basis of his future assessment, unless, in the opinion of the handicapper. there is reason for in Aiding a lesser penalty." Clause 14 states: "In classes where no penalty is provided for second, an exception will be made when a horse finishes second in a class faster than his assessed mark, in which case the time mark from which he started shall become the basis of liis future assessCla'use 15 says: "The two preceding clauses do not apply to maiden horses as defined in'clause 12." On the rules it would appear that Mr Tronson's interpretation is the correct one and the only reason for the alteration could be the insertion of some special clause by the committee this season, of which no announcement has been officially made. In any case. Axminster has been accepted for at Wellington off the maiden limit, and even if the 12yds mark is proved correct, he will have to run as handicapped on Saturday.

NOTES FROM MELBOURNE AUSTRALIAN CUP TO-DAY (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph-Copyright'/ MELBOURNE, Mar. 4. New Zealand acceptors for the V.C.R. meeting at Flemington to-mor-row include: Leonard Stakes. Amiable; Carmichael Stakes. Limulel and National. The Australian Cup will start at 3.30. APOLLO SCRATCHED (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) MELBOURNE, Mar. 4. (Received Mar. 4, at 11 p.m.) Apollo was scratched from the Australian Cup at 12.5 to-day. Red Manfred i. c mentioned as an unlikely runner Ashley Reed will ride Evening Mist, Sir Harold and Hotshot at Flemington to-morrow. K. Voitre will ride Damalis, The Riff, Kingdom and Regular Bachelor. M. McCarten will ride Aurie's Star and Egmont. /