THE GREYMOUTH RACES,

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1441, 14 March 1873, Page 2

THE GREYMOUTH RACES.

[to the editor.] Sir,— ln yesterday's issue I see your correspondent " Bannathlath " has chosen to impugn my statements, and again to parade his crude opinions as oracular truths, and no doubt they would be accepted as such if mere verbiage conveyed reasoning and fact. As, however, they are very wide of the mark, I shall dispose of him in a very few words, and leave him to chew the bitter cud of reflection. In his maundering of February 5, he states about Hatred being completely out of it, with 7st 12lb. I said she would have been most formidable had she been sent. For verification of my judgment see, where since last meeting, she has been defeating successively the best horses in Otago, and could she possibly have got here in time it was intended to accept with her ; she would thus have made seven acceptances, aud as King Joseph would have accepted with Defamation had she not met with her accident, eight horses out of twelve would then have come to the scratch. At the time " Bannathlath's " effusion was written Burgundy, |Hatred, and Malice were all south, and had some of the. Otago meetings altered their dates as promised, all these horses would have been here. " Bannathlath " evidently does not know that the Traducers run themselves into form and are at their best at four or five years, otherwise he would not have expressed his opinion about Hatred and Envy as he has done, nor does he seem to know much about their performances or capabilities. With regard to Burgundy, I still adhere to my opinion that he was not an over-rated horse from his last year's performances. Malice has not, as yet shown up well, but it is not that she is not better than she was, but that Hatred is so very much better. Why Dickey Dick should run away from coming here, saying he was afraid of Envy, is a mystery to me, except that he "saw small picking^ at Dunedin and Timaru, where equally good company as the Greymouth quads would not be met with. But I suppose " Bannathlath " knows why, as he oracularly and emphatically says in before-named epistle, that for a certainty Envy will not be sent by Mr Nosworthy, and that Hatred was completely handicapped out. It is needless to dwell upon " Bannathlath's" inconsistencies and misconception about these horses, as, first of alt, six horses accept ont of 12; two more I have accounted for, while for Malice and Burgundy 1 know no more than oft-times told report, so that the handicap must be declared an excellent one, and as such has been pronounced. It is very seldom that more than one-half to one-third of horses come to the post in handicaps, so that the number with us show ours to be a great success. I feel assured the owners of horses who have accepted are extremely sorry that the Greymouth stewards did not select the combined intelligence of the Grey Valley to handicap for them, instead of choosing a gentleman of Mr Hustler's acknowledged capabilities, who has so greviously erred each year in his adjudications as to be selected for the same office each succeeding year. Why do Christchurch, Dunedin, Timaru, and Greymouth make such mistakes when handicappers like those of the late Grey Valley Races are to be had. True, Mr Hustler will not give a mount to a weight like Messrs Payne, James Jones, &c, but if report speaks true, and the same handicappers act next year at Ahaura, both these gentlemen may probably have mounts, provided Martin's Act ia not previously brought into force. Finally, as far as regards a field of horses, there are more animals by one-half present in and around Greymonth to-4ay to try issue next week than we have ever had at any former meeting. Is this fact, in itself not a sufficient disproval of " Bannathlath's" statements. Forfend us from having any more local handicapping. One year's bitter experience cured us of that, and cost New Zealand one of its best and most straightforward supporters. No, no, Master " Bannathlath," we will leave the iGrey Valley the honor of "localhandicapping." I am, f&c, Old Sport.

[to the editor.] Sir — I have been somewhat amused lately by reading various comments on I the above races from the pen of "Bannathlath," and from the style of his writing he evidently considers himself 'well up in handicapping. In his letter which appears in your issue of yesterday, he comes to' the conclusion that the much-boasted big handicap is a failure, and that the public money has been wasted, and legitimate racing men have been denied a chance of competing for this c"v ent. ; As to the first statement — the big handicap being a failure — we will see. Twelve horses were entered, and before the weights were declared Burgundy went to Dunedin, and after the weights came out Defamation broke down, thus leaving only ten horses in, and out of that number aix accepted (not five, as " Bannathlath " states). "Bannathlath" says "some have accepted more as a feeler than anything else." This I can scarcely see, as eacl horse in accepting has had to pay sevei sovereigns for this "feeler," in additioi to his entrance of three sovereigns. M\ opinion is that the great feeling is for first or second money. I think, out of the number that have paid up, the stewards have every reasoi> to congratulate themselves on the excellent field that will start for the Greymouth Jockey Club Handicap, and as I expect to see all fit at the post, we should have as good a race as ever was run in New Zealand. If "Bannathlath" has any knowledge of horse-raciug, he must admit that no handicapper ppuld possibly bring all or nearly all to the post ; and 1 think the number which, have accepted for the Greymouth Jockey Club Handicap will bear very favorable comparison to race meetings in this or any of the other colonies. On the Westland Hurdle Handicap, " Bannathlath " is tolerably silent, although the foreign handicapper also adjusted the weights, for this race. He says "only three acceptances are to hand," and that " Dick Turpin and Commodore are certain to accept." With regard to the two last names, he wishes to appear wise about their accepting. Now this wisdom I. cannot exactly get over, as it is well known both in town and up-cpjintry that .five horßespub of the seven nominated had accepted some time

ago, and I don't think that " Bannathlath " was ignorant of this fact when he framed his last letter, although the names of the horses were not officially published. Should the weather be favorable on the 17th, and with five such acceptances for the Hurdle Race, I exptct to see the finest set-to over the timber that has been run in this Colony for a long time past, indeed it is seldom that auch first-class jumping horses meet on the same turf in New Zealand. "Bannathlath" says there has been "a great fuss kicked up in town about | the weights for the late Ahaura Handicaps." If such has been the case, no wonder. Perhaps " Bannathlath" was one of the handicappers, and just fancy the top weight being list lOlbs for a flat race of two miles. Comment on this is unnecessary. No doubt the Ahaura stewards will retain the same handicappers for next year, as they are certain to have an excellent meeting of foreign horses to be handicapped by the same liberal and " local handicappers." I suppose the Greymouth Jockey Club will take the hint given by " Bannathlath" about Peeress, and explain everything to Mr Walters. Would it not be better if the Greymeuth Jockey Club would give Mr Walters an invitation to dinner, smooth over the disqualification, and invite him, like the Nelson people, to send Peeress to the next race meeting. As "Bannathlath" tries hard to appear well up in racing, and particularly iv handicapping, I hope the Grey Club will endeavor to secure his most valuable services for the other handicaps not yet declared, and then we will see "legitimate racing men have a chance of competing." "Bannathlath" winds up by saying that we are not likely to hear from him again unti l the Grey races are over. 1 think the loss will be very small. When the Grey meeting of '73 is over, no doubt we will have another splendid production from " Bannathlath" on handicapping, racing, &c, and from the very wide and egotistical opinions he has given on several occasions, some of his statements must come in true, and if he does not blow a bit about his superior knowledge it will be a caution. lam, &c, Observer.