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New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume V, Issue 220, 11 October 1894, Page 4

Sydney horse owners and trainers have been working up an agitation for some time past which has for its object the appointment by the Australian Jockey Club of an additional handicapper. In the past Mr J. A. Scan has reigned supreme in the matter of adjusting weights in connection with N.S.W. racing, and the discontent which for some time past has been made manifest by the ever increasing number of plaints “To the Editor ” has culminated in the preparation and presentation of the following petition to the committees ofthe Rosehill, Tattersail’s, Warwick Farm, Canterbury, and Moorefield Racing Clubs:— “ Gentlemen — We, the undersigned owners and trainers of racehorses competing on courses around the metropolis of Sydney, beg to draw your to the fact that we are dissatisfied with the handicapping of our horses, and humbly pray that you will consider our grievance, and we respectfully suggest that you should appoint a second handicapper, or two extra handicappers, if necessary, to work in conjunction with Mr Scarr. As matters stand at present, Mr Scarr has the supreme control over the handicaps, and any mistakes that he might make, no one has the authority to point out the same to him. Consequently we may go on from week to week, and month to month, .groaning under the injustice ; whereas, if you will adopt our suggestion, it will place the matter on a more equitable footing. We consider it very unfair towards the racing community in general that any one man should hold such power, though we do not in any way wish to impugn Mr Scarr’s conscientiousness in the performance of the duties of his office.” This petition has been signed by sixty leading trainers and owners. The fairness of the request should entitle it to serious consideration at the hands of the N.S.W. authorities. Two Sydney owners who race under the noms de course of J. Baronet and W. Merthyr, complain bitterly of the manner in which their horses have been treated by Mr Scarr. The owners alluded to have ten to fifteen horses constantly in work, and the fact that they have not won a single race for two years is quoted as evidence against the handicapper’s adjustments.