THE AUSTRALIAN SPRING HANDICAPS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 956, 2 July 1908, Page 5

THE AUSTRALIAN SPRING HANDICAPS.

Writing on the subject of the big spring handicaps in Australia, “Martindale” says: — “ Now that the weights are out for the important spring handicaps, those who are keen on finding out what is well in will have their time fully engaged. Taking them as they are run, the Epsom comes first, the date of running—October 3 —Derby Day—at Randwick. Mr. Daly has elected the New Zealander Gold Crest as the best in the race, and he gets top weight (9st 71b). To properly overhaul these handicaps would take up columns of space; and, what is more, figures are dry reading. To my thinking, Mooltan has been harshly treated by all the handicappers. He is no doubt a good horse, but an increase of over 201 b for running second in a race Is a great rise. The Acolyte also appears to have got all that he is entitled to. Still, the handicappers could no doubt show figures for their adjustments; but it appears strange that The Acolyte should have to give weight away to Peru, winner of such important races as the Australian Cup and Champion Race. In the Epsom, lolaire and Fille Fugi appear to have fair weights, and others that may run well, if they see the post, are Legation, Decollette, Heiro, Gaby, Sir Aymer, Seddon, Mas-

ter Foote, Maranui, Rose Ray, Malt Rose, Parsee, Exsul, Ale, Alibi, and Antonina. Poseidon, at 9st 131 b, is fair.y weighted in the Metropolitan, as also Peru, Lord Fitzroy, Welcome Trist, Putty, Seddon, The Brewer, Master Foote, and Pharos. Parsee is one that appears to have a very fair chance, and in the light-weight division those that may run well are Florance, Exsul, Woolloomooloo, and Antonina.

Though the Victorian handicappers are well agreed respecting topweights with the Randwick adjuster, there are several marked differences in the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup lists. Of course, Poseidon is top in each, and not badly treated at lOst in the Melbourne Cup. In each Cup I think Mooltan has been rated too high- May King is well placed at Caulfield, also Waipuna, Destinist, Dyed Garments, Legation, and Welcome Trist. If Seddon can stay he has a good chance, as also Kyeadgerie, Parsee, Golden Slipper, and Eric. More than half the horses nominated are weighted with only 71b between them. It may be that in this lot of over 100 horses the winner may be found. Perhaps the most like.y ones are Exsul, Love Lord Enchanted States, Electron, Argea, Diabolo, and Antonina.

There are 199 horses in the Melbourne Cup, and, seeing that 111 of them are weighted from 6st 131 b down to 6st 71b, it cannot be said that they are handicapped at all. The fact is in all the big handicaps the horses are really classed, not handicapped. For instance, if half the lot weighted in the Melbourne or Caulfield Cups below 7st were nominated for some minor event, we would find that the handicapper would make a difference of about 3st between what he considered the best and worst. It is a long while between now and the first Tuesday in November, when the Melbourne Cup is run, and the form of many may be improved. As they stand at the present time, the best seem to be Waipuna, Dyed Garments, Welcome Trist, Prophecy, Kyeadgerie, The Brewer, Pharos, Putty, Seddon, Alawa, Eric, Woolloomooloo, Parsee, Diabolo, Lord Nolan, and Tksul.