HANDICAPPING.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20184, 12 March 1931, Page 12

HANDICAPPING.

PROPOSED NEW SYSTEM* OWNERS AND TRAINERS APPROVE. Til© handicapping system as outlined in Thb Press yesterday is a topic of conversation in trotting circles, and the general opinion amongst owners, trainers, and followers of the sport is that ■ its introduction would once and for all do away with the dissatisfaction that exists at times through the differing opinions of handicappers. The main feature that appeals is the absolute fairness of the treatment that must be given to owners. Under this proposed system the horse itself establishes its handicap mark by the amount of money it can win, and inuidentally also establishes ita own value as a mil ng proposition. A loading trainer when approached yesterday by a representative of Tjik Press said that if Messrs McKenzie and Glanville never did anything else for the sport, their work on this occasion entitled them to the thanks of the trotting community. "I,t ie what New Zealand has been looking for, for a long time, ' he said, "and though simplicity itself in its , working, it is strange that no one has thought of it before." "• "A boon to trotting ' the system was described by an owner of several horses. "Tho fact that the money won is all that counts makes things fair for all, and an owner can get an idea as to the value of his horse. At present i have a horso lhat according to its rating should have won £4500. All I have received is £9OO, one-fifth of his value according to, his mark." "We don't much care what sort of a handicapping system is applied," said one of the best-known drivers, ''so long as everyone is treated alike. The trouble has been tho varying opinions and the inconsistentes\ of handicappers, which I interpret to mean an effort on the part of handicappers to please certain clubs, and consequently the owners who support them. Under the system os outlined in Thh Press there'can be no favouritism, for stakes won alone count in the argument. If this system is turned down by the authorities then they will need to have something a great deal better * than anything we have experienced up to the present. Two big features about the system are that it prevents a handicap'por from calling on his imagination and the horse establishes his own handicap.' It seems very simple, and it cjub 1 delegates can only oe persuaded to moke a proper study of tho conditions it must become law at the annual Conference in July." "Such a very radical change as is proposed in our system of handicapping must meet _ with a good deal of opposition," said a-i trotting club official, "but this is only to be expected with anything new. The | 'Limitation of Handicappere' Penalties' ] system was strongly opposed by some I of our most prominent trotting a «ien. and though it did not' prove perfect, ! it was certainly a wonderful improve- : tnent on the old order of: things. There | may be faults in this one and possibly | practice of the system will reveal them. Up to the present I - can see nothing but a real benefit to the sport of trotting." , TO THE EDITOft 0* THB Ff&ESS. Sir—l read in this morning's Press a suggested system of tße handicapping ■;pf trotting horses. Tho first thing ' that occurs "to me is this: If this sys- j •tern were adopted, wpuld trotting r ®~ main the very fine sport it is, or would it become a'business? Hard-neadea business men unconsciously apply business methods to anything and every-, thing. Very apparently there has "been considerable * thought and time given to the details of this system, and in pointing out certain advantages. if it were adopted; but not one -disadvantage has-been exposed. '• However, I wish to point out one outstanding and unfair hardship contafned in we system. Should the winder of a.one tofle ujee off the 2.-7 mark (as per table) included m the, 'system go B,J7y thereby demonstrating £ that "h& can go ten seconds or better lihan his'handicap, and proportionately, itd the distance's of races, 4, he is penihortea owned and a ic6Mderftble 'time^^hewv.are unnecessary 1 wodd prevail, L ; but not of as the one "just 4 xeferred 'to/ , , The only and fair; system would i(ba a standard sliding scute P«n whereby £ horse would irfake his-own > penalty, winning horses only. l —Yours, 6tc " '- ~ REAL SPORT. March 11th, 1931. I ' * 4 5 4 ' /•" V *"* t/ * , CHBISTCHURGH HUNT. ANNUAL kEETING. i *j • The annual. meeting of the Christchurch Hunt was held. yesterday afternoon, Mr Westenra presiding. . The chairman stated that in many quarters it had been considered that 'Swing to the bad conditions ruling at present hunting should not 'be earned ,on this year. He lp'oked at. the position from a different point' of view, and was sure that most .hunting people agreed with him that it was necessary to hunt, if only for a short season, to give the young people a fenti meets. .He recommended that hunts should be' held during May and June. tPnly. ... ■ The annual, report stated that during the year six new. members , had been elected. ■ The total membership stood at 64, made up as follows:—Life members 2j honorary members 16, and active members 46. Meets had - been arranged tvrice weekly. The opening meet had been held at the Kennels on April 19th, and excellent sport had been experienced throughout the season. The annual Steeplechase Meeting had been held at Eicearton on August 2nd. Entries, gates, cards, and privileges had all shown a reduction as, compared with the previous year,'the totalisator turnover being £10;783 10s, as against £13,879 for the previous year, a reduction of £3095 10s» Instead of a substantial profit on the Meeting there had been a small loss. The thanks of the club were flue to the Canterbury Jockey Club for granting the use of the Eicearton racecourse. The year's working had'resulted in, a loss of £429 *9s 3d, which , was due to the loss sustained in connexion with the tace meeting. Por some years the club had required all the race meeting profits to meet ordinary hunting expensed. '' The annual donation .from-the Jockey Club of £2OO had been withdrawn "some 'years' ago. The club'B stallion, Boyal Mac, had been sold during'the year, as it had been felt by. the committed that' no good purpose could be 'served in retaining The Report also inferred to the' success of the parfield'ball, and of the annual ball, and to the Point-to-Point Steeplechase r and hunter trials. < On the motion oi the chairman/a resolution was passed expressing the club's thanks to the farmers in the district Who had given it their most generous support,during the season.' ' '< It was. decided that the annual ball should 1 be held on Gjrand National night as'usual. It was decided-that arrangements. for th§ meets in Maraud June jAotyg be

' > , - V . . J »i"\ Teft-in the hands of the Master - trad the;, Hjintsman, and that the hounds should be sent to Ashbwton early, in May if possible. 1 The following officers were elected President, Sir E., Heatbn Rhodes; master, Mr Gilbert Grigg; vice-presidents, Messrs J. D Hall, George Gerard, D. W Westenra, and J. H. Grigg; committee, Mrs Gilbert Grigg, Mra.J.H. Grigg, Mrs J, Montgomery, Miaa X Rutherford, Miss, Ward-Smith, Miss H. .* Montgomery,, Messrs J. J. Allan, W. Deans, A. N.. Grigg, G. P. Hutton, B.M. Dl Johnson, P. D: JTeava, A. J.jNicoll, IVO'Borke, M. H. O'Borke, and A. j