Where Wrackler Is Well Treated

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 782, 1 October 1929, Page 12

Where Wrackler Is Well Treated

METHVEN HANDICAPS FALSE MARK AT ASHBURTON It was decidedly fortunate for the owner of Wrackler that the new system of handicapping was not brought into force until the new season opened, otherwise the young champion would not have been presented with the easy money that came his way recently at Ashburton, and also appears to be waiting for him at Methven on Saturday. -No true sportsman cares to see a sood horse crucified by a handicapper, but there is a medium in all tilings, and there is just as much to be said against undue leniency in respect to handicapping as there is on the subject of undue harshness. The placing of Wrackler, who last season lmd a wonderful three-year-old record, on a 2.53 mark in ten furlongs, after having run second to Linkman off 2.485, was a glaring instance of undue leniency, and the son of Wrack showed his gratitude for the adjuster's invitation to go in and win the stake by '‘collecting’* without much effort. False Position Having won off 2.53, the new system allows for a 36yds penalty in the section in which Wrackler was engaged, and at Methven he is on 2.50, and of course, if he starts, it should be another case of “put and take.” Another victory will see Wrackler then back on the mark from which he should, in fairness to other competitors. have commenced the new season. But the duel Derby winner may have other fish to fry at Methven, as, despite his sound two-mile performances last year, and liis Australian three-year-old record of 4.29 3-5 into second berth, he has been placed on 4.33 in the Methven Cup. and tlio 108yds Wrack's son is asked to give away will bo only a “flea-bite’* to him. With such a liighdass pacer engaged among the moderate class field, it looks like being an uneven struggle, and Wrackler should find the race on Saturday something in the nature of a decent work-out. In fact, if his connections feel like lifting the Methven “double,” it should „ not be a difficult task to achieve, although perhaps they will be satisfied to start the four-year-old in tho cup only.