Owners Complain of Handicap Anomalies

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 201, 14 November 1927, Page 7

Owners Complain of Handicap Anomalies

COMPARISONS QUOTED * correspondent. “Owner,” sends the , *. in ~ comment on the handicapping together with some time comas there is racing and trot- . there is sure to be grumbling ovei handicapping, but after looking care v into the adjustments made foi .H* Otahuhu meeting by Mr. Gooseman rd even those of Mr. Paul for th< la*t Auckland fixture, the average fol-

lower of the sport will surely be convinced that trainers and owners have good cause for complaint, and there is a reasonable excuse for the grumbling that has gone on lately. •‘To my mind the Otahuhu handicapper has done a bit of guess work, and the result is somewhat crude. It would bo interesting to the public to learn how Mr. Gooseman arrived at some of his conclusions regarding certain horses’ abilities. It was not through a careful study of performances or an understanding of present-day conditions. This can be proved by glancing over the few cases cited below in the trotters’ section. The best time of the performer, or his last handicap, U given in parentheses: Handicap. King Capitalist (4.42) 4.44 Xgatira (4.43 2-3) 4.43 Petroleuse (4.42 1-5) 4.43 Sister Beatrice (4.37 2-5) 4.42 The Tartar (4.41) 4.42 Tiger Salve (4.42) 4.42 Mutu (4.41) 4.42 Peter McKinney (4.38) 4.41 Tradesman (4.35 1-5) 4.40 Rose Bingen (4.35 1-5) 4.38 Feter Dean (4.36 2-5) 4.38 This looks very much like getting away from the hard facts of times. There is no doubt the Otahuhu handicapper had a good example to follow from Mr. Paul’s treatment of Petroleuse and Tiger Salve at the last meeting. to which you referred in your notes last week.”

ANOTHER VIEW

Writing on the same question, another correspondent. ‘ Puzzled.” states that he has had lengthy experience of the trotting business, and cites another case as follows: "Is it any wonder owners and trainers sometimes indulge in swear word when they read handicaps for various meetings? Is it any wonder they complain and pull their horses out of events? What a turmoil there was among some owners when the New Zealand Cup handicaps appeared and how they wrangled over the subject. Bu; was their case any worse than the one I am about to quote, that of Florent? "It cost the owner of this horse a good sportsman, £ 4 to see how his pacer would be handicapped, and when Mr. Paul’s work—guesswork, if you like—appeared, it did not take long for the owmer to make up his mind. Mr. Gooseman now appears to have taken a leaf from the Auckland adjuster’s book, and it looks as if the horse has got to be started, even if he has no chance, and the public allowed to invest their money for the Otahuhu Club’s benefit, if Florent can hope to get a correct adjustment. "For comparison I will take Uncle Bert, Gold Jacket and Van Rich. Florent won a race last year on a fast track in 4.35 2-5. This was proved to be right as the same day Jean Darling went ten furlongs in 2.45, a 2.12 gait, yet next time out Mr. Paul put her on 2.14. "The day Florent registered 4.35 2-5, Gold Jacket went 4.33 2-5 and Van Rich 4.33 4-5. The latter has since been handicapped on 4.39, Gold Jacket on 4.37. although he recently went 4.34 3-5, for second, and Florent 4.37. Uncle Bert last fixture showed 3.24 for a mile and a-half, 2.16 gait, yet he is only asked to go the same again in the mile, and 4.36 in the two-mile. "To my mind Florent is meeting some of those mentioned on 72yds worse terms. It may be mentioned that when Florent, Gold Jacket and Van Rich filled the places already alluded to , which was at the Waikato March meeting. Mr. Gooseman had Gold Jacket giving Florent 48yds and Van Rich was giving the Florizel gelding 36yds. Florent has not been in the money since, so where docs consistency in the adjustments come in?”