THE GREYMOUTH HANDICAP.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1132, 14 March 1872, Page 2

THE GREYMOUTH HANDICAP.

[to the editor.] Sir — My attention having been drawn to a paragraph in the Argus, of a late date, copied from the Nelson Examiner, and headed " Sporting News," in which the writer describes at some length the difficulty the Peeress is racing under at lOat 71b, compared with the light weights her opponents have got to carry. As to the disparity of weights there can be no fault found, her previous performances justify the handicap ; as far as inequality of weights is concerned, the only objection so far as I can see is. that the top weight should have been, say lOst for Peeress, and as low as sst 71b for Stockman. I think this would have been more in accordance with the rules of the turf, but perhaps the handicapper was not aware at the time that there was to be another handicap at the Greymouth Race Meeting, or the difficulty of getting riders at these weights had something to do with it. As for the latter reason, I take it that those who keep 6st 71b horses should be always prepared with a suitable jock, as in other countries. ' In the event of the Peeress winning this/handicap, she will have to carry a few pounds extra in. the Gold Fields Handicap, and whether she can do it or not is a mystery as yet. The distance is half a mile less than the other handicap, and the pace will be consequently hotter, and no doubt some of the fraternity will be waiting on her for this event, as it is more like some of their distances than the other race. Whether Mr Redwood will ever start his mare for a 100 soy stake, with over lOst 71b, is best known to himself, knowing well that all the money to be raced, for on the programme would not satisfy him in case of a break. down. What will the turfites of the other colonies say about a horse canying such a load, and likely to carry a 71b penalty in the next handicap "I I think I can answer for them ; they will naturally say these people have plenty of horses and money, but very little mercy or taste. The writer for the Emmin&r, in referring to Economy, thinks his chance a very poor one, having no faith in West Coast training. I must, say that I differ with, him i, there. "nThis horse has' been under the very careful' tuition of the astute. Joe, better known as " King of the Perishers," whose ability was never doubted amongst the horsey men of New South Wales in years gone by. If being fit has anything to do with Economy winning the- Handicap, I think there is nothing . wantingj but I always considered his action too high and excited to be a stayer. As for Lacenfeed the distance is a little too fa*r. For Black Eagle and Why Not, I consider them out of it from the start. I should say for the last mile the race will lie between the two chesnuts, Peeress and Misfortune, with Lacenfeed and Economy standing out for the Gold Fields Handicap, leaving the two old stable companions to tight the battle out, which will end in a victory for the Peeress. You will have learnt before this reaches you that Stockman is on. his way to town to win the Hack subject ito the approval of the stewards. As for Ellesmere, his former owner called to see him on his way from the Wakefield Steeplechase, and pronounced him gone crooked. So that there is np chance of him being at the coming races. There is a rumor here at present, for the accuracy of which I cannot vouch, that the hurdle racehorse Equity! was on his way to Greymouth Races, when he met with an accident about teri miles above Mr Mackloy's run, and had to be turned out on the river bed. j lam, &c, : The Rambler. Ahaura, March Hi