HEAD OF THE BAY RACES.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume V, Issue 459, 14 December 1880, Page 2

HEAD OF THE BAY RACES.

To the Editor

Sir, —I am surprised to see in your last issue the very heavy weights for 111■ above races, and should like, to know where the handicappers learnt their profession, fov unfair<T wights wore never before put on Ikh-scs. Who ever lienr<) of horses in flat races carrying list? The heaviest -weights -ever* carried on English courses, oven by Derby winners, never have exceeded 9st 7lbs. Secondly, why do the handieappers allot more weight to Hollyhock, who lms n >ver won anything, or run anything like well, than to horses which have proved themselves fair runners ? TWs this result from the ignorance of the handicappers, or someofihellead of the Bay influence? It seems to me that Ihc handicappers mean to keep the horses on this side of the Peninsula out of it as much ns they can, "which, I can assure the handienppers, gives great pleasure to owners who have for years past supported the races. I know several subscribes whoso subscriptions would not have been given hnd they for a moment dreamt of such weights being given. In justice to all, I think the weights should be moderated by the day of the races. For the future, if I may bo allowed to suggest that a meeting of the handicappers and owners of horses be called, when , , if they could not come to fairer weights than are at present given, they might play Yankee Grab, for which some of them might stand a better show with the handicappers. I hope Ivy inserting: this in your valuable paper to see the weights slightly moderated by the day of the races, and I feel certain every true sportsman wishes the same.—l am, etc, J. 11. DRURY. Dec. 11, 1880.