HANDICAPPER RETIRES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 112, 16 May 1946, Page 6

HANDICAPPER RETIRES

MR. H. COYLE GIVING UP AFTER FORTY YEARS

Handicapper of the Wellington Racing Club for 32 years, Mr. H. Coyle has announced his decision to retire and has intimated that he desires to be relieved of his duties when suitable arrangements are made to secure a successor. Intimation to a similar effect has been received by several other clubs for which Mr. Coyle has done the weight-adjusting over a period of years.

Mr. Coyle received his first appointment as handicapper 46 years ago when, in 1900, he framed the weights for the Ohingaiti Racing Club, a nontotalisator body registered under the Wanganui Jockey Club. It was about five years later that Mr. Coyle was appointed handicapper by the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club, and about this time the Napier Park Racing Club and the Poverty Bay Turf Club also availed themselves of his services.

Some 32 years ago, in 1914, Mr. Coyle was asked to deputise for Mr. W. H. Pollock as handicapper for the Wellington Racing Club’s winter meeting. 111-heaith compelled Mr. Pollock to retire, and Mr. Coyle has ever since continued to serve the Wellington Club as handicapper. Other clubs for which Mr. Coyle has acted as weightadjuster for varying periods include the Wanganui Jockey Club, Manawatu Racing Club, Taranaki Jockey Club. Rangitikei Racing Club. Marton Jockey Club. Waverley Racing Club, Masterton Racing Club, Woodville District Jockey Club and Otaki Maori Racing Club. Probably it will bp his assessments of form values as displayed at the Wellington Club’s meeting that will be regarded as the highlight of Mr. Coyle’s career, for at Trentham fields are drawn from all parts of the Dominion and a keen judgement must be exercised by the handicapper. That this has been done by Mr. Covle would appear evident from the keen racing and close finishes witnessed on the most central metropolitan course in the Dominion.

That Mr. Coyle will enjoy long life and good health in his well-earned retirement will be a wish reciprocated by racing enthusiasts throughout New Zealand.