THE HANDICAPPING.

Observer, Volume 1, Issue 17, 8 January 1881, Page 163

THE HANDICAPPING.

To the Editor of the Observer.

Dear Sir, — So much tault has been found with the handicapping of the Auckland Cup that it is almost like pouring water on a drowned rat to recur to the subject. I would, however, like the staunch advocates for handicapping to contrast the result of the weight-for-age races ran on Boxing Day with the Cup Handicap. The only two weight-for-age races were the Maiden

and Kailway Plates, and were each won, after a desperate finish, by less than a neck. Contrast this with the handicap which was won by ten lengths, which might as well have been forty lengths, as Foul Play was never asked to gallop at the finish —it was not even the semblance of a race. It must have been very disgusting to the stewards of the meeting to see 300 soys. of the Club's money going for such a farce, while the two weight-for-age races — the only real races of the day — were run at a cost of 130 soys., or less than one-half. The moral of this story is, that the Club should encourage more weight-for-age races, and discontinue handicaps, at anyrate, till someone can be got to handicap who has the confidence of the racing public. It is a perfect farce to expect any Southern man to do justice to Northern horses^ when they meet in the same race. I know it would take a deal of persuasion to get the Dimedin or Christchurch Clubs to appoint an Auckland handicapper for their races. That this Cup was a gift to Foul Play, anyone could see, and the betting both in the South and here clearly showed it. Southern bookmakers and owners have for so many years so controlled the principal events in the Auckland race programme that they begin to think they have a vested right to it, while the Auckland sporting men are fools enough to let them, and appear rather to like it. Small blame to them, say I, if they go on pocketing from 2 to 3,000 soys. each meeting, which they do in bets, stakes, and sweeps. There is no doubt about it, racing has got to that pitch now in Auckland that strong and radical changes must be made to keep pace with public requirements and the well-being of the Auckland Racing Club, and the future prosperity of the Stud Company will greatly depend upon the stewards having the courage to face the difficulty. If they are determined to have handicaps, then is it a paramount necessity to have a man who can frame a handicap impartially and well, and I have no hesitation in saying that we have no one in New Zealand who is fitted for the office. Not but we have men with the necessary brains, but it will be impossible to find a New Zealand man unprejudiced enough to do justice to all. It is nonsense waiting for the Southern clubs to join us in the expense of a handicapper. Why should they, good honest souls ; they are more than pleased with the existing state of things. We imist take the bull by the horns, and get a good man from Australia, and I am perfectly satisfied that there will be no difficulty in raising, by special subscription, a handsome sum to aid the Club, should they not see their way for this additional expense from existing funds. Honestly and properly constructed handicaps should be the basis of our programmes. — I am, &c, NUNQUAM DORMIO.

We can now see that had Libeller stood up in the Cup Kace lie would have been second. The totalisators did an immense business outside the imddock on the second and third days. Directly Mr. Roper was seen to be backing Libeller there was a rush to get on. Only one person spotted the double event (Tatapa and Libeller) on Saturday last. Collins was the layer. In future we backers are going to settle our wagers (when we lose) with bills at 12 months. When we win, however, we shall expect the Ring to pay cash. Tender enquiries were made after the gentleman with " gloves on his boots" at the Occidental on Wednesday evening. When a man plunges very heavily, knowing he cnn't pay if he loses, it is called " going for the gloves." Mr. McDonald's display of temper over the defeat of Foul Play has not led to anything after all. The stewards upheld Matthews most decisively. H.Ii.H. tried the plunging game on Satur* day- laying twos, threes, and even fours to one on Foul Play for the Grand Stand Handicap. His face as Libeller romped up the straight was a picture. Those of the "talent" who hadlost heavily all Saturday afternoon, more than made up their deficits by backing Libeller for the last race. Joe Gallagher alone cleared £400. Directly a certain party began laying 2 to 1 oh Billingsgate for the Stewards Handicap, it was all over. His luck iy so bad that knowing ones immediately backed Libeller. When the betting opened on the Grand Stand Handicap, 3 to 1 was laid on Foul Play, but as Libeller " came " in the market the price shortened, and at the close the latter was the best favourite of the two for money. There was no mistaking the fact that Libeller's victory over Foul Play in the Grand Stand Handicap gave immense satisfaction. Had the former won the crowd intended to hoot him. As it was they cheered Walters' colt to the echo. Considering that Mick Gallagher had 46 tickets in his own sweep, there was nothing very surprising in his drawing the favourite. If you and I had held that number between us, I rather think we should have expected to get something good. When Fred Matthews • got his orders for riding Foul Play he protested against them. " What force the running with 9st 91b up," he said, "it will kill my chance," and sure enoiigh it did, yet the owner was small-minded enough to scold the jockey after the race, as if it was his fault. The impolicy of Mr. McDonald's action re Foul Play was most forcibly demonstrated on Saturday afternoon. Had the colt started for the A.R.C. Handicap he could not possibly, according to the time (which was lOsee. longer than lnst year) have lost it. In the i Grand Stand on the other hand he had to meet the I fresh Libeller, who, what with the weights and mistaken riding, proved too much for him. The yearling sales of 1880 saw 451 youngsters, 229 colts, and 222 fillies, sold for a total of 89,896 guineas, or an average of almost exactly 200 guineas each. Hermit's nine averaged 606 guineas; Brown Bread's ten, 599 guineas ; Sterling's ten, 545 guineas ; Blair Athol's six, 466 guineas ; Rosicrucian's twenty -two, 3SBguinens ; Pollegrino's throe, 387 guineas ; Plebian's three, 370 guineas. English breeders have received scant encouragement to pay 100 gs. ior their mares, as most of the best horses of the last few years have been got by positively unknown sires ; Chippendale by Rococo • Dresden China by Highborn; Robbie Burns by Martyrdom ; Robert the Devil by Bertram ; Pilgrimage by Palmer, one expatriated sire; Petronel by another Musket; and Elizabeth by Statesman.. These are only a few instances taken at random. The settling up meeting of the Thames Jockey Cltib was held last night. The following amounts were paid to the winners in the late races •— Flying stakes, Mr. Darrow, £20 ; Maori race, A. DeHar £5 ; Stewards' Handicap, Mr. Byers, £30 ; Hurdle Race Handicap, Mi-. McDonald/ £2O ; Hack Race Handicap A. DeHar, £10; Railway Stakes Handicap, Mr. Lennard, £15; Jockey Club Handicap, Mr. Byers, £40Steeplechase Handicap, Messrs. Neal and Walsh, £40 • Local Race, Ngakapa, £20 ; Hack Hurdle Race, Mr. w! Dickey, £10; Consolation Handicap, Mr. McDonald, £10.