LOOKING FOR WINNERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 43, 13 May 1927, Page 12

LOOKING FOR WINNERS

SYSTEM OR SUPERSTITION NUMBER, COLOUR, AVERAGE When the general public are in a speculative mood, more especially at gatherings where horses “run. jump, or trot.” any straw that will give some clue to a winner is clutched at. Various systems are in vogue and many people who regularly frequent such sports meetings where the totalisator is the medium of profit or loss to the individual, have particular fads and fancies to assist in spotting dividend payers. Some follow what is known as the average system, arrived at by calculation of handicaps; others have a leaning for favourite numbers, while others again have a pronounced liking for such colours as roans, greys, or even a piebald. Each in its turn will bring about an occasional winner, which satisfies the advocates of the successful system or superstition, and keeps them interested in the sport and the search for fortune. GOING ONE BETTER It is very often a noticeable occurrence in the trotting arena that the second horse in the big race of the day will come out and clean up the opposition in the sprint race which is usually at the end of the card, and contested by horses of Cup calibre, and a little time spent in searching through the records of the season now drawing to a close will reveal this fact in surprising numbers. Another oft-successful scheme is the backing of horses which declined engagements earlier in the day, and where these statistics are available satisfactory results will be observed. INDICATED BY SCRATCHING PEN The scratching-pen as a guide to backers was much in evidence at Cambridge last week-end, and those who had taken notice of this phase of the problem would be rewarded substantially. Golden Gratton, who was looked upon as having a good chance in the Leamington Handicap was withdrawn from this event, but came out later in the Hautapu Handicap and scored a victory. Uncle Bert, favoured in some quarters for the big event, declined the engagement, but took on the saddle heat, and made no bones about the result, winning in convincing style. Mars had his name erased from the board in the President’s Handicap, his connections electing to tackle the opposition in the Stewards’ Handicap. The wisdom of their decision was demonstrated when the gelding got home by a narrow margin returning his supporters a useful price. In the .case of the recent meeting then, it must be admitted the scratching-pen was a very fair indicator. THE SAFEST WAY Despite the fact that followers of various systems mentioned find occasionally it is a payable business, they will agree that in the end they are well on the wrong side of the ledger. Those given to betting through superstitions find it likewise. The safest policy for the bettor is to study form, which is after all the best guide, and especially in the trotting world? is on the average very reliable. With the approach of the local meeting next month, patrons of the sport would be well advised to keep in touch with the form of the contestants, which will be indicated from time to time in the columns of THE SUN.