RECORD FOR SERVICE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 128, 1 June 1937, Page 13

RECORD FOR SERVICE

MR. J. E. HENRYS

DOYEN OF HANDICAPPERS

To few is given Ihe honour of establishing a world record, one that is not based on speed or modern technique in performance. Mr. J. E. Henrys, who recently retired from the position of \ handicapper to the Canterbury Jockey Club, has established a world record for service. Since 1388. when he first handicapped for a race meeting at the age of twenty-four years, he has been appointed by no fpwer than 79 racing, trotting, and hunt clubs, and he has also handicapped for seven other clubs (says the "Press"). OFFICIAL APPOINTMENTS. His keen interest in racing as a young man gained Mr. Henrys,his first appointment as handicapper to the Feilding Jockey Club. The clubs by which he has been appointed handicapper since then are; — , North Island— Feilding Hunt Club (1889), Rangitikei Eacing Club (1889), Marton Jockey Club U889), Turakina Jockey Club (1889), Rangitikei Hunt Club (1890), Sandon Racing Club (1890), Momohaki Racing Club (1890), Warrengate Racing Club (1890), Waverley and Waitotara Racing Club (1890), Patea Jockey Club (1891), Woodville District Jockey Club (1891), Manawatu Racing Club (1891), Horowhenua Racing Club (1891), United Wellington Hunt Club (1891), Pahiatua Racing Club (1891), Egmpnt Racing Club (1891), Ashhurst-Pohangina Racing Club (1891), Heretaunga Mounted Rifles Racing Club (1891), Wairarapa Hunt Club (1892), Waitara Racing Club (1892), Taratahi-Carterton Racing Club (1892), Wairarapa Racing Club (1892), Lower Valley Martinborough Racing Club (1892), Otaki Maori Racing Club (1892), Palmerston North Trotting Club (1893), Hawke's Bay Jockey Club (1894), Masterton Racing Club (1894), Waipukurau Jockey Club (1895), Waipawa Jockey Club (1895), Stratford Racing Club (1895). Eltham Racing Club (1895), Oeo Racing Club (1895), Foxton Racing Club (1895), Manaia Racing Club (1895), Opunake Racing Club (1895), Dannevirke Jockey Club. (1897), Eketahuna Racing Club (1898), Porangahau Racing Club (1900), Napier Park Racing Club (1902), Dannevirke Hunt Club Q9ls),Taumarunui Racing Club (1918), Rotorua-Bay of Plenty Hunt Club (1933),. Manawatu Hunt Club (1933). South Island.—Canterbury- Jockey Club (1891), Christchurch Hunt Club (1891), Blenheim Birthday Hack (1891), Marlborough Racing Club (1892), Nelson Jockey Club (1894), Kowai Pass Jockey Club (1894), Christchurch Racing Club (4894), Amberley Steeplechase Club (1897), Ohoka and Eyreton Racing Club (1898), Hororata Racing Club (1898), Akaroa Racing Club (1898), Ashburton County Racing Club (1899), North Canterbury Racing Club (1899), South Canterbury Jockey Club 1902), East Oxford Racing Club (1902), Waimate Racing Club (1902), Palmerston Racing Club (19Q3), North Otago Jockey Club (1903),. Kurow Jockey Club (1903). Chertsey Racing Club (1908), Mount Somers Racing Club (1909), Springfield Racing Club (1909), Rangitata Racing Club (1909), Waikouaiti Racing Club (19.14), Wyndham Racing Club (1914). Waimate Hunt Club (1915), Amberley Racing Club (1916), Methven Racing Club (1916), South Canterbury Hunt Club (1918), Otago Hunt Club (1918), Banks Peninsula. Racing Club U92Q)., Cheviot Racing Club (1920), Beaumpnt Racing Club (1920), Tuapeka Racing Club (1920). ■ Other bodies for which Mr. Henrys has handicapped on special occasions are:—Wellington Racing Club (1890), Auckland Racing Club (1905), Geraldine Racing Club (1905), Greymouth Jockey Club (1908), Reefton Jockey Club. (1913), Ohinemuri Jockey (1928). TakWna Jockey Club (1929). With the passage of time many of the clubs that appointed Mr, Henrys as their handicapper have gone out ofexistence, but most of those that remain retain his services. He was engaged by the Canterbury Jockey Club for forty-six years, and in that time ne has had'some remarkable success in bringing big fields together' at the post. He has produced several dead heats, and on two occasions dead heats involving three horses have been declared, one being for first place and the other for second. . KNOWLEDGE OF HORSES. ■ Although he was' born in Dunedir, Mr. Henrys soon went to the North Island, where he has lived since. In the Manawatu district Mi-.. Henrys showed himself as an ntnlete ol prowess, playing for the, Manawatu Rttpbv representative team rind having rrich success oi» tne track. i'oUovvmg this he became a handicapper for athletic clubs for eight years. It was during those years that his knowledge ot horses and horsemen matured and iie secured, many of. the appointments that go to form his record. A rider in many steeplechases and flat races himself and' a - consistent; rider to nounds, he became as well known In the racing world as any man in New Zealand has ever been. Although his appointments have occupied so much .of his time that he has had little leisure, Mr. Henrys has found Odd moments in which to write numerous articles on racing. One of the finest of these was compiled in 1929 for publication in England, a discussion on the value of the totalisator. The article was published soon after the establishment of the totalisator on English racecourses, and was therefore of added interest to its English readers. Mr. Henrys remembers the first use of the machine in New Zealand and his active mind carries its full history beside the many arguments which he.advances in its favour. "The totalisator was first used in New Zealand in 1880," he says, "but it was not until 1889 that it was legalised by the New Zealand Government." The division of the first deduction of .10 per cent, between the Government and the club was followed, after the Great War, by a special tax of 5 per cent, paid by those fortunate enough to hold tickets on the winners. Looking back over the years of horse racing in the Dominion Mr. Henrys believes that the sport has been admirably governed, and to the totalisator he attributes the stakes which it is possible to pay at New Zealand meetings. Typical of his manner of summing up all his arguments, he gives six reasons why the totalisator system should be continued. These are:— . 1. The racegoer who bets does so of his own free will. 2. The investor is certain of,a start for his money. 3. If he is successful, the investor is not urged to reinvest his winnings. 4. No credit is given by the totalisa±or. 5. The totalisator does not pay owners to scratch their horses. 6. The totalisator has no agents to arrange with owners, trainers, and jockeys for horses to be raced dishonestly. . . Mr. Henrys remembers the record dividend paid by the totalisator in New Zealand. Only one ticket was held on the winning combination on the double machine at the Canterbury Jockey Club's Meeting in 1906 and the fortunate investor received £2060 10s for his £1.

Mr. Donald Grant, president of the South Canterbury Jockey Club and a well-known owner and breeder, has sent live horses to D. Cotton at Riccarton. They include Kinnoull, who has not raced for a long time, but who has done a good deal of strong work Jately, Elloughton Lad, a Derby candidate by Pink Coat from lans March, and three yearlings, one being a sister to Kinnoull.