TURF GOSSIP.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XIX, Issue 3204, 28 October 1876, Page 2

TURF GOSSIP.

(By Electric Spark.) Comparing the programme of the Patea District Jockey Club, issued about a fortnight since, with that of last year, one cannot help noticing that the 3takes in the aggregate are not nearly of so much value ; but, compared with the bill of 1874, it is by far the most liberal. It is to be regretted that th#'Club has had to retrace ifcd steps and reduce its programme, for more reasons than one ; but it is evident that the stride forward last year was too great for the young district to make. One day's racing has been con- , sidered sufficient by the Club, and no doubt the public will be better pleased with the sport, as a list. of events such as those advertised, scattered over two days, would be likely to cause dissatisfaction. As soon as the general entries are received and made public, 1 shall endeavour to name the first three for each event. Fourteen horses were nominated last year for the Handicap, and there were ten acceptors. There are four less nominated this year, and I should think that some three or four out of the ten will not pay the last instalment. The handicappe.rs (Major Turner and Dr Croft) have performed . their task, and the ! weights are before the public. Everyone cannot be satisfied ; and I confess I have been rather disappointed with the weights allotted to the different horses. It is by; no means a good handicap, as I shall endeavour to show ; but first let me table i the weights, and weight for age, with the . difference each horse carries.

Any one possessing a knowledge of handicapping will at a glance see whichhorses are in on the best terms according to weight for age. Folly is considered the best weight for age horse out of the half score, while Treason and Flora McDonald arc equally weighted, within 21b's of his weight. S® far, so good. Next come Cornelia and Patrick, on level terms. Patrick has never ran a race in public, and is classed with a mare which has won several races in passable company, and is weighted within 2lbs of Flora McDonald and Treason, and 41bs of Folly. These horses have all wonVgood races, and are well tried performers on the turf. This is not the worst feature in the handicap. Patrick is made.to give another untried colt (Sailor) 91bs ; and worse still, gives Firetail (a horse that has won many good races) 31bs ; Iniquity, the winner of the Wanganui Produce last March, 91bs ; Cripple Kate, a mare that has won races in Napier, lOlbs ; and to crown all, gives Satellite 14lbs. Unless poor Pat is a very clever 3-year old,' he won't get his nose in front under such a weight, i Folly gives Satellite lllbs. This is scarcely in Keeping with the previous performances of the two horses, seeing that Satellite has once beaten Folly at weight for age, 2 miles, and only received 81bs from him in the Wanganui Handigap. Satellite, according to the handicappers' views, is the worst weight for age in the field. I consider him better than six of the number by his performances. However, it all comes to a question of fitness on the day, since the weights have been settled upon, and then will be the time to see if the handicappers have been successful. Acceptances for the Handicap close on Monday, October 30.

CD • bt % f •rH O U ' rrj en d) <l W P Folly aged 10 1 9 7 8 Piretail aged 10 1 9 0 15; Cornelia ... syi*s 910 812 12 Treason ... 4yrs 9 6 810 10 Flora McDonald • 4yrs 9 3 8 7 10 Cripple Kate 6yrs 10 1 8 7 22 Satellite ... 6yrs )0 1 8 3 26 Iniquity ... syrs ■9 10 8 3 21 Sailor 4yra 9 3 710 21 Patrick 3yrs 7 1 6 3 12