THE TAPANUI MEETING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2396, 1 February 1900, Page 40

THE TAPANUI MEETING.

Mr H. J. Gourley's handicaps for the Tapanui meeting are published this v.eek. All in, I should take Mount Clair for the President's l-landicap, Paladin for the Tapanui Handicap, and Fulmen for the Grand Stand rJandicap as the best picks, though I think Mr Gourley has brought the horses very we'l together, and made selections difficult. As to the trotting races, I follow my rule of expressing- no opinion. These are mysteries concerning which I do not care to interfere as between the owners and the handicapper unless plainly called upon to do so in the public interests. But in reference to this Tapanui meeting. 1 have had a chat with Mr Gourley, who has taken special pains over the trots, and he has handed me his assessment of the merits of the several candidates, which I herewith publish for the benefit of the owners concerned. Mr Gourley has made his handicap for the Two-mile Trot on the basis that Miss Mac and Plan can do 5.25, Darby 5.28, Stormonfc 5.35, Schoolgirl 5.40, Topsy 5.45, Moonbeam, Punch, and Atratos 5.47, Garryowen, JVliss Macfie, Varesco, and Teddy 5.50, Mark and Lady Dale 5.52, and Bonny Jean 5.55. As to the District Trot, the computations as. to ability are : Haroldson 4.9 for the mile and a-half, Why Not 4.9, Jasper 4.20, Silverc=pot 4.22. WhirlNvind and John Temple 4.25, Nigger. Madeline, Yankee Doodle, and Waikaka 4.30. If other handicappers would like to give the public an opportunity of thus analysing their handicaps, I shall be glad to accept and print the tables.

THE CLASSIC RACES OF 1900

A few years ago books were open in England on the Two Thousand long before Christinas, and the Derby served for speculation all the winter. Nowadays very lew want to bee months ahead, and, save for a si ray wager on the Derby, the classic races are outside market operations. All the same, sportsmen take an interest in discussing the chances of the youngsters, arid the editor of London's racing daily always has a foierunning article on the subject. This season, following the custom, he thus writes up his consideration of the Two Thousand prospects: "The pick of the entry for the Two Thousand appears to be Diamond .lubilee, Democrat, and Elopement, and in voting for Democrat I do not do so with the idea that il is by any means a one-horse race, for the American o elding struck me as being too set and furnished lant season to make it likely that he will improve as much as some of the other two-year-olds may do, and it may take him all his time to beat the other pair that I have mentioned." Concerning the One Thousand he <-ay&: "As far as the book i& concerned the race can bs made out to bo a fairly good tring lor Vain Duchess, but, as> she was amic3 towards the end of la^l season, and as t know there was never much to choose between her and Betlyfiekl, il ,ociib that Siv R. Woldie Giifllth's Selected is the safest tip I ran give." And this is what he !>as lo say about the Derby : "Democrat, Forfarshire, and Diamond Jubilee certainly stand out in.m the others, and in giving a plumper lo Foi farshire, I am influenced by the fact i'<at the latest advice i are to the effect thai ho i-, v, inhering extremely well, and does not exc°ed 16 hands 2 inches at present. My great fear about him was tTiat he might grow too big to be able to do himself justice over the ups and downs of Ensom."