REPUTATIONS NOT FORGOTTEN

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 91, 8 July 1927, Page 6

REPUTATIONS NOT FORGOTTEN

RUNNYMEDE, RANK FAILURE, RECEIVES SOLID WEIGHTS

Give a dog a bad name and it will stick to him. Give a horse a good name and the handicapper will never forget it.

If a concrete example were needed, racegoers would have to look no further than the handicaps declared for the big events in both Sydney and Melbourne, declares a Sydney writer. These two examples are Runnymede and Valaisian, distinct failures of recent years, and who have yet to convince handicappers that they are almost worthless as racing propositions. NO SUPPOSITIONS

Handicappers generally differ slightly over the worth, or otherwise, of a horse, but each of the V.A.T.C., V.R.C. and A.J.C. weight adjusters have evidently refused to believe that the form shown by either horse has been its best. Possibly it was not, and undoubtedly earlier in their careers they did better, but handicappers are supposed to take notice of form and figures, not supposition.

Each horse ftas paid the penalty of a former reputation, whether gained through performances or breeding. If his Australian efforts alone were taken into consideration, Runnymede would be entitled to a position near the bottom of the weights. But Runnymede was the champion three-year-old of his year in New Zealand, he won the Derby in record time, and champion three-year-olds, whether they prove themselves in Australia or not, are not forgotten in big handicaps. STILL PAYING Mr. T. C. Trautwein is still paying the price for his misfortune in buying the horse. Runnymede has not gained a place in Australia, notwithstanding that his last efforts were in ordinary handicap fields. His last run was in October, when with 8.2 in the City Tatt’s Handicap 4© beat four home, one of whom lost its rider. Yet among the best horses in Australia, Runnymede has 8.7 in the Epsom and Metrop, 8.6 in the Caulfield Cup, and 8.5 in the Melbourne Cup. SHAMED HIS SIRE

Valaisian has proved himself one of the worst of the Valais progeny, but he was a fair two-year-old, and being a high-priced yearling naturally came more into the limelight than many other better gallopers. Hone of the last two facts has been forgotten, and so Valaisian, though his, latest efforts have been at provincial meetings where he has been outclassed, and though he was even schooled with a view to hurdling, has turned a complete rogue who will not gallop under any conditions. Possibly the handicappers are afraid that if they treat him as performances warrant he will forget the roguish side of his nature, but even that does not call for weights of 7.10 in the Epsom, 7.9 in the Caulfield Cup and Metropolitan, and 7.7 in the Melbourne Cup. Results may ultimately prove that the handicappers were right. It has happened before, but the odds are greatly against the respective .connections really bothering with the horses.

DOMINION RIDER

SUCCESSES IN INDIA WATSON DOING WELL Of the jockeys who have tried their luck in India, there are few who have not met with a fair share of success. The latest to join the Tanks is L. H. “Les” Watson, who went from New Zealand about 18 months ago and rode with success over the jumps in Sydney. He was successful on Cherry Ripe and Chandonia at Randwick, besides winning races on the suburban courses. He was also astride Cherry Ripe in the A.J.C. £2,000 Hurdle, won by Piratic. Cherry Ripe fell at the sec-ond-last jump when leading the field. LUMPING LEAD Watson was particularly light to be riding over the jumps, for he weighed only eight stone. In one of his victories on Cherry Ripe he carried three stone three pounds deadweight. Specialising in fiat races in India, Watson has scored in 16 races in the short time that he has been riding there, and is third on the winning jockeys’ list in Bombay. The following is an excerpt from the ’’Ceylon'Times,” commenting on Watson’s riding:— . “Spackman rode another close finish in the Bombay Plate, but this time he had the tvorst of the finish with "Watson, who brought Zuggar out in grand style, to beat Woodapple on the post, after the latter had led by several lengths at the distance.” Watson intends to return to Sydney in September and will apply to the A.J.C. for a jockey’s licence. It is also his intention to continue riding in flat events.