MARSHAL M'DONALD,

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1959, 16 January 1914, Page 4

MARSHAL M'DONALD,

■" AND HIS, CUP WEIGHT. ;t"A Racing Reader," who sent a second.- letter (published,., ini,,. ycster.day!s issiie) in regard to-MarsnajrM'Donald'a .Wellington Cup weighty, appqars to bo ai' "opinion that Merry, Roe- should lc handicapped oil ..hernvery worst form, biit that Marshal M'Donald should be handicapped on, v what,' "A Itacing Reader",.cqnsiders.his best form. "Tho merest' tyro knows how rapidly three-year-olds improve with racing," l\e assart's, and- almost in the same breath pjoceedsto justify a handicap which i ■>_~ based, piii tho,.; assumption that one three-year-old (Marshal-M'Donald) made "vast improvement" between December 2G'(tho day lie was beaten in tho AuckIrflid Cup when carrying Pst. "Ib.) and January 1 (tho day he run third- in tho Great Northern Derby), while another tliree-year-flld. (Merry-./Jloo) l'as deteriorated seyeral. pounds, since October 27, when she. beat tho best borses in the country at<,weight-for-ago. ■ Surely even tjie'-meriqst tyro ; . might bo, pardoned Iq,c failing to „ see any logic in' such nn; argument; There is another phase of-tiio (~on alsu, and that is this: lt'«Morry, R,oo, who .received .'Jib. and h ".'Beating f)'om Marshal M'Donald in tlje Derby,, is to receive weight from hirtijn. tho AYellingtan Cup, why should Merry 1100 have, to concede- 1?lb. to Soiiltikoff in T;he Wellington Cup when Soultikoff presented her v.'itli 31b. and a; beating in the same Derby (sco the report;of "Spectator," a gentleman "With very wido racing knowledge")? Wtthoutitaking any special notice- (f oi.ir'jcoripspontloTit's -pathetic pretest about "tlio continuous pin-pricking" which he, alleges men of wide racing knowledge are subjected to, it' wilt, ■ do to point out the eff-hand manner in which he wishes to' dismiss tho handicapping ■ of Sea Pink in the ■. Wellington Cup, and to discount the value of tho horse's victory in the A.R.C. Handicap on January 1. He says: "When , Sea Pink won ho did not meet ctthor of tho crack threc-yoar-olds. and time is a poor guido to haudicappers, as racing men well know. Jolio Fillo, a. moderate animal, was close on Sea Pink's heels when he won. This seems to discount tho'value of Mr. Watt's colt's victory." Supposing the statement that Jolic Filio is a moderate animal he accepted, it must follow 'that Marshal M'Donald is'a very inferior animal. Now this moderate animal Jolio Fille, who has been a consistent place-getter this season, started in 26 races last season, winning 6, and being placed in 9 others His best form was "renresented by hi.' pen-ultimate effort at Ellcrslie (Juno 3) as the following extract will show:— PRINCE OF AVALES' HANDICAP, of COO sovs. Seven furlongs. JoliokFMo, 9st. 121b. '. 1 AVorcester, 9st '2 Tangiwai, 9st. 31b 3 Also started: Crown Pearl, list. 111b.; Bluestono, H)st. ; Bll>. • Fort William, lOst, 71b.; Taot, "Iflst. 71b.; Gloy, lOst. 211).; Tragedv King, Ost. 131b.; Kawoen, Ost, 131b.; Hns-kayne,-Osfc. 101b.; Tattoo, 9st. 101b.; Stepney, Ost. 91b.; Phospliorus, Ost. 91b.; Blue. Garment,,- Hat. 91b.; Scrt.rch, 9st> 91b.: Dawn, , Ost. 61b.; Montiform, Ost. Gib.: Lady Georgia, Ost. 51b.: Woe Olfin.'nst. 51b.: Loch Mabin, 9st. 51b.: Deni.se Ormo. 9st. 21b:";Red Book, 9st.; Gcrbera, Dst.; Aristocrat.'-Ost. • ;. ; ■; Tt only remains to point out thn. Worcester, who was beaten as above b;

this "moderato animal," is on the face of thot performance inferior to Jolie Fillc. Now on December 29 last AVorcestor conceded Marshal M'Donald lib. and heat him in the Salisbury Welter, the three-year-old carrying the'minimum impost. Much more inferior then must Marshal M'Donald be.—Q.E.D. CONCERNING AUSTIN'S WEIGHT. (To the Editor.) Sir, —Your correspondent, "A Racing Render," is evidently a close follower of the sport of lsings. Perhaps ho could explain to another reader of your paper, not so widely experienced in facing'knowledge as himself, why Austin, who lias failed in open company lyheu.in., a .pound above the minimum, received: Bst. 101b. in the' Anniversary Welter. Also, why tho performer ! namcd should bo asked to concede weight to Stepney, winner of a double at Mar-l-on,. Sartovna, winner of an open race at Wairarapa, and other performers? Thanking vou in anticipation,—l am, etc.,; • .• •' ■ ..,-., ANOTHER READER.