HEAD OF THE BAY HANDICAPS.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume V, Issue 462, 24 December 1880, Page 2

HEAD OF THE BAY HANDICAPS.

To'"the Editor,

Sir, —In Tuesday's Mail my attention was drawn to a letter signed " R. A. Main, Handicapper," which I could not let go unanswered. He says The Maid has always proved herself a 2st better horse than anything she has met on the beach. Now, if he will refresh his memory by looking over her performances on the beach (as a handicapper should do), he will find that The Maid has been beaten three different times by Black Pine, Volunteer, and Miss Flirt, the two foimer at even weights, and the latter at less than 2st. Now,in the Wainui Plate, what show has Blue Ribbon against Jack? He is nsked to give Jack 81bs : why should Blue Ribbon give Jack weight when lie meets Hollyhock evenly, Jack having bealen Hollyhock ai even weights, tho only time they met. In Mr Main's own words, that the handicaps are unfair he says that if the distance was 1£ miles, should have cause to complain, as the distance is three-quarters of a mile, to be run in heats, and not a half-mile spurt, as Mr Main would lead us to believe. I contend that it is a mile race, and tho beach beinj* heavy running is equal to 2 miles. If Mr Main received his schooling as handicapper at the baroarous Himinui, where they race with list, I would advise him to visit the Christchureh or Dunedin races, for he wants enlightening when he mentions the Hurunui handicaps as a standard of perfection. I think the old jocks ought to give way to the younger and smaller boys, and if the weights cannot be found, the fault ought to rest with the owners and trainers, and not with the ban dicappers.—l am, etCi J. BROWN. German Bay, December 23.

To the Editor,

Sir, —Mr R. Main, in his letter in reply to mine, in mentioning the weights carried in the Huiunui races, forgets to state that tho horses which run there partake far more of the cart-horse than the thoroughbred, and the pace is nothing. He also says about my consulting friends, and going by hearsay. I think, sir, that if he would not measure other people'o corn by his bushel, he might write a more sensible letter to your paper. If the weights are not moderated by Monday, the committee might find it hard work gathering in subscriptions for another year if Mr Main is handioapper. Allow me to suggest that Mr Main put himself in the glass case he talks about, and remain there till next year's handicapping is over.—l am, etc., J. 11. DRURY.