THE RACING QUESTION.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1058, 5 April 1879, Page 2

THE RACING QUESTION.

To the Editor of the Waikato Times. Sir, — Many comments having been made regarding the discussion of the Stewards of the Waikato Turf Club, m disqualifying Mr Walters* two-year-old colt for the Maiden Plate, at the late Ohaupo meeting, I wrote to Captain Sfcandish, one of the Stewards of V. R. C, and asked his opinion, knowing, by experience, that the ' Australasian ' is not to be relied upon. The following are my questions, and his answers : — Question 1 : Can a two-year-old run a mile aad a-half, m a Maiden Plate, with horses of differen age ? Answer: According to the V.R.C, Rules, a two-year-old cannot run m a Maiden Plate, or any race of a mile and a half, as no weights are fixed for two-year-olds m our scale of weights for age for that, or any longer distance. Question 2 : Can a two-year-old run a mile and a half m February, with horses of different ages. No weights for two-year-olds being published m the adopted scale of weight for age ? Answer : The above answer will be sufficient reply to No. 2 query. Question 3 : Can a two-year-old run m a mile and a half handicap with horses of different ages ? Answer : Being at present away from Melbourne, I cannot lay my hands on the Newmarket Rules, so tha<> I cannot positively state that two-year*oicS are prevented from running m a handicap of one mile and a half. At all events, this is guarded against m our race meetings, by inserting the words, " for three-year-olds and upwards," m the programme of all our handicaps, save those limited to horses of a certain age, such as Nursery Handicaps, <$?c, I would suggest the above precautions be adopted by the Committee of your Club, whan preparing their programmes. The following is the Newinavkefc rule ; —Rule 9, olause 2, yearlings shall not run for any race. Two-year-olds shall not run for any handicap before the Ist of September, ncr, after that date, with any but two-year-olds,-— Yours truly, H. E. Handle*;