When Handicappers Agree to Disagree

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 173, 12 October 1927, Page 12

When Handicappers Agree to Disagree

It is not to be expected that liandicappers should always agree when it conies to framing adjustments. But where they agree to disagree there is usually very little difference in the weights of particular horses. With the announcement of the handicaps for the Waikato Racing Club and Waikato Hunt Club meetings yesterday, students of form and handicapping had something to analyse, and no doubt they discovered at least one serious difference in the work of the two liandicappers, Messrs. W. P. Russell (Waikato Racing Club) and F. J. McManemin (Waikato Hunt Club). Most notable are the weights allotted Delightment in the principal handicaps at both fixtures. In the Waikato Cup, one mile and a-half, the Catmint gelding is set to carry 7.6, and in the Hunt Club’s Members’ Handicap, one and a-quarter miles, he is given 8.10. The discrepancy is so great that at first sight it appeared that a typographical error had been made, but as no correction has been issued to date it must be assumed that the figures are correct. In the Waikato Cup the range of weights is two pounds less than in the Hunt event, taking the topweight in each event, the same horse. Te Kara. NOTE THE DIFFERENCES In many cases comparisons are somewhat odious, even if they prove to be most enlightening. However, the following table shows the horses engaged in the Mitchelson Cup. Waikato Cup and the Hunt Club Members’ Handicap (referred to respectively as MC, WC and MH, the first two miles, and the MH 1£ miles), with the weights carried and allotted: MC WC MH

Mint Leaf .... 7 0 7 0 7 1 The above table is illuminating, very. Most notable is the handicapping of Delightment, which is extraordinary, to say the least. When weighted by Mr. McManemin for the Avondale Cup, Delightment was put on the 7.4 mark,

ancl when he did not run he was again given that impost in the Mitchelson Cup. At this stage it might be opportune to remark that with Delightment running two seconds at the Avondale meeting agrainst fine fields of sprinters over six furlongs, the second time with 9.2, the handicapper took an undeniable risk in letting him in the Mitchelson at 7.4. Delightment fan third in that race, and now he is paying the penalty—an altogether severe one. SEVERE TREATMENT When Delightment ran third in the Mitchelson Cup he carried 7.4, and Te Kara (unplaced) 9.7. There was thus 311bs. between them. The same handicapper who made them meet at that difference now hopes to bring them together in the Members’ Handicap with lOlbs only separating the pa: r. In other words, that third placing: of Delightment’s has caused him to be raised 211bs, taking a line through Te Kara. Even allowing for the two furlongs less to travel, the Catmint gelding has been more harshly treated than any other horse at the hands of a handicapper for a long time. Delightment might win the Members’ Handicap—nothing is impossible in racing—but it is Queen Street to an orange that his owner declines to start him. He would be foolish to allow him to run. MORE EQUITABLE Again taking a line through Te Kara, in the Waikato Cup, that horse has come down 31bs, and Delightment goes up 21bs, so that these two now’ meet on 51bs different terms, which the writer considers should very nearly bring them together. So much for Delightment’s handicap. It seems that the Hunt Club handicapper has mad© a mistake in bringing Te Kara down and raising the remainder, for the following horses are now asked to meet the topweight on so much worse terms as are shown in parentheses, going on the Mitchelson Cup race:—Eden Hall (31bs), Desert Glow (61bs) and Mint Leaf (21bs). Incidentally Desert Glow finished just in front of Te Kara in the Mitchelson Cup, and ran fourth on Monday: both Eden Hall and Mint Leaf finished behind Te Kara, who ran seventh.

st. lb. st. lb. st. lb. T© Kara . . 9 7 9 4 9 6 Eden Hall . . 8 1 7 13 8 3 Master Doon . . 7 13 8 5 Desert Glow 7 8 7 6 7 13 Delightment 7 4 7 6 8 10 Lord Star . . . . 7 1 7 0 7 0