Handicappers’ Opinions Do Not Differ Greatly

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 348, 8 May 1928, Page 10

Handicappers’ Opinions Do Not Differ Greatly

Wanganui and Auckland Weights

rE Egmont meeting this week will be followed by that at Wanganui, and these two fixtures will serve as an interesting prelude to the Great Northern gathering at Ellerslie. The views of the leading handicappers as reflected in the weights issued for Wanganui and Auckland furnish some interesting data.

With the declaration yesterday of the adjustments made by Mr. H. Coyle for the opening: day’s racing (Thursday of next week) at Wanganui, an opportunity is afforded of making a comparison between the weights awarded to horses claiming engagements both at Auckland and Wanganui. That is. in the Wanganui Steeplechase and May Hurdles, and the Great Xorthern Hurdles and Steeplechase. The comparison is of interest, in that it does not disclose a marked difference of opinion between Messrs. Coyle and McManemin. Certainly there are some apparent discrepancies in the weights for the two hurdle races, but it has to be remembered that the class at Wanganui is much weaker, and in addition the journey is threequarters of a mile less. Change in Programme In the past this has not been so evident, for then the Century Hurdles. miles, was decided on the first day at Wanganui, and now this has been put on to the concluding day’s programme. Probably the reason for this is that while good fields have generally contested the Century, the May Hurdles the second day lias rarely attracted a strong field. It will be interesting to see how the new order of things works, but it will be surprising if any difference is noticed. More likely is it to affect the Century Hurdles field. Incidentally the hurdle races at Hawera in the week previous to Wangnui usually throws some light on the Century Hurdles, and the latter in _its turn is a fair guide to the Great Xorthern Hurdles. , . The following table shows the weights allocated in the May Hurdles and the Great Xorthern Hurdles: Auckland.

particularly in the ease or Panons who at Auckland is within two of his Wanganui weight. * others above the minimum from 111 bto 131 b. But he is the bottom that it actually make* 2?“ difference. * L Steeplechase Weights Much more illuminating are the v dicaps for the Wanganui Steepl***? 5 ' and tlie Great Northern SteenWv Here they are:—

J.S The Wanganui race is run ov» little over three miles—it is three tiL! round on the outside of the comproper, which is exactly a mile round!! and the fences are regarded as difficult, whereas the Great Norther Steeplechase is scheduled as three ’.! threequarter miles, and is referred to as about four miles. the task is far harder than that »• Wanganui. Brigadier Bill and Passin’ Through iron the same mark in both cases. winE'ick has a pound more to carry her. The inference to be gained from this is that the former pair are expecter to be better suited at Ellerslie thaWanganui. and while this may be in Passin’ Through's case, the reveremay apply to Brigadier Bill, who ha yet to race over country. Dick is th only horse set to carry more weight *■ Ellerslie than at Wanganui, and thi« is perhaps understandable. Maunga’s Weight At his first attempt over countrr Maunga won last year’s Wangaiv Steeplechase, and then came on t! Ellerslie to finish second to Beau Cavalier. Xow he has 10.10 at Wangam. and eight pounds less in the Great Xorthern. so that it has to be admitted that he is exceptionally well treated in the Ellerslie event. Comical continues to be kept near the top. Tuki. who has won several times over the Ellerslie Hill, has f!\® pounds less than at Wanganui, and h must be remembered that he won a steeplechase in the South a few weeks ago. so that he will lack nothing or the score of condition. Pouri is half a stone lighter at Ellerslie, and this promising jumper, wlio impresses as a coming chaser, may pay for watching It is understood that Pouri will gn to Wanganui with Peter Maxwell after the Wanganui meeting. Taking a brief run through the weights for the Wanganui meeting, so far as the May Hurdles and Steeplechase are concerned, it would appear that Red Fuchsia and Perle de Leor and Tuki and Frisco Jack, must b* given fair chaces. In the meantime there are two days* racing at Haweni and the form there should be at least helpful in providing a guide for Wanganui. It will be surprising if it doesn’t.

Wanganui. Auckland. IMgata .. . . . . . . 11.9 Red Fuchsia .. .. 11.4 Perle le Leon . .. 10.13 . . . . 10.12 9.12 Aberfeldy . . .. .. 10.10 Vexatious .. Panorama .. Rahepoto . . Revel -. . . Karamu .. . . Braeman .. . . . . 9-0 It will be noticed that there is a great difference in some of the handicaps,

Comical Tuki Wanganui. ll.« 10.12 Auckhuu 10.12 Maunga Passin* Through 1 Brigadier Bill 10.2 Pouri Frisco Jack . . 9.10 ' 1 Dick 9.5