The Tapanui Races. SPORTING EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2242, 18 February 1897, Page 34

The Tapanui Races. SPORTING EDITOR.

Sib,— l fee that a "Visitor " has been giving his opinion of th» starting and handicapping at the Tapanui meeting, and from what I saw of ib I can bear out " Visitor's " remarks. In your footnote you say you have made inquiries from reliable sources, and find they do not bear out ♦•Visitor's" remarks. I could give you the names of a number of sportsmen who, I am sure, are quite as reliable »s any that you cau poslibly get who would bear out " Visitor's " remarks thab the starting was of a very poor iescriptiou, and the handicapping a positive failure. Of course Mr Gourley m»y be excused to a certain extent in the handicapping seeing ib was his first attempt. I see " Mazeppa " makes out that according to" the acceptances the handicapping was good. Does he mean by that thab it was wholly due to good adjustments ? There are many I other reasons at times for acceptances when the handicaps are not considered by any means satisfactory, which any owner cau tell you. There are one or two instances re the handicapping I should like you to give your opinion on, viz. :—(1): — (1) On the first day St. Patrick had to give Last Trick Ist 61b. Last Trick did not start. On the second day St Patrick gave Last Trick 28t 71b. Which of these is correct ? (2) On the first day Black Pearl gave Goldspur 91b. Goldspur did nob start. Black Pearl ran a good third lo Emmeline, carrying 81b over weight. Goldspur won the Maiden Plate, and nexi day had to give Black Pearl 111b, a difference of 2st. Was that good handicapping ? (3) Firsc day again. Kelpie got 3secfrom Native in two miles and a-hnlft rut. Kelpie did not start', for which he received 18sec from Native in two mile!. Is that consistent? !f •• Mazeppa " will look up the handicaps I think he will find tbem very inconsistent. He goes to the trouble of excusing the handicapping of Beacoosfield on the ground that he has never won in better time than smiu 43*ec. Can he excuse th« handicapping of Kelpie on the same ground P Kelpie's winning time for two miles i is srnin 19»ec, and Native's best winning time is Bmin 0 4-ssen for three miles, or, roughly, Ijmin 20« ec for two miles. — I am. &c , Gore. Feb. 16. Visitor No. 2.