Well Jilliby Kung Fu got the first invite after the Chariots and here are the fields for the Allied Express and the Canadian Club
http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fie...s/?mc=PC170218
Printable View
Well Jilliby Kung Fu got the first invite after the Chariots and here are the fields for the Allied Express and the Canadian Club
http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fie...s/?mc=PC170218
Only makes sense that a 4 year-old gets the first invite. Horses such as Lazarus need to do more to earn an invitation!
Top 2 from this weeks lead ups get invited. Plus the Chariots winner means still 3 invites leftover. That leaves plenty of leeway for a star having a howler or missing the start to still be invited.
So what Kung Fu got invited first, the two lead ups this week give the best chance of getting the top 8 into the final field regardless of the order they are invited. Its not like Lazarus is going to miss out on an invite and we are blessed to see him go around one more time so whats the problem?
There is no problem but maybe HRNSW doesn't need to play games to the extent that they do (ooh ooh suspense) and simply invite the horse that is clearly the best horse in the southern hemisphere simply because he's in work leading up to the race and they should be honored to have his stable accept
I seem to remember them, in the past, insisting that champions deserving of an automatic invite, had to compete in one of the lead-ups
Adding to Breno's, wouldn't be a bad idea that Laz should have to run this week to qualify...not that he wouldn't get an invite...the MM qualifying conditions ensures a great card this week. You'd want Lazarus & Co to roll up for two weeks, wouldn't you?
p.s. What price Atomic Red this week Breno?
Still exists? Nought wrong with that Kev, post #6
I think we should still go with all stables are lured by the $750,000 and will roll up as required by those who offer the money.
Purely a chronological thing, the Chariots run before this week that Kung Fu got the first invite...as much as the suspense? But the MM field selection has always been open to controversy, not a bad thing.
Maybe we will just disagree on this one Wayne.
Can you imagine the gallopers telling Winx's stable she MUST compete the week before the Cox Plate
You can have your automatic qualifying races like HRNSW do (as does the Melbourne Cup) but if a trainer wants to miss a week and let his horse's previous record do the talking - why not. On reflection and counter to my earlier post, I will concede that, if this option was in place then it is probably fair not to invite the final 3 until all the qualifiers are run and won
Alternatively you can just call them heats but can you then have invitations too?
Overall you are right - it is not a Biggie
I guess controversy falls under the saying that all publicity is good publicity?
Kev, Hawthorn won 3 straight flags and I seem to recall them having to play the week before in the Prelim final in each of those years.
Any sport biggest days are when the cream are on display, whether it be AFL or NRL finals, or the Spring Carnival or harness racing. The more chances the public gets to see Lazarus race the better. Isn't there a ways to improve harness racing thread. I would say having Lazarus race instead of at home in the stable would be a great way to improve harness racing.
The gallops have a big point of difference with different distances 1200m, 1600m, 2000m and 2400m potentially having Gp1s on the same day. For us to have two open age races of such quality on the same day is really unique for us (apart from the ID heats where the quality is a bit more diluted over 3 heats) and a great selling point for the Menangle meeting. I think its fantastic. Could easily have already invited Laz, Lenny, Soho, Heaven Rocks, Tiger Tara and just be having a glorified weekly Menangle FFA this week but instead we have two excellent fields so its a fantastic result for harness racing.
The other thing with having Lazarus, Lenny, Soho, Heaven Rocks and Tiger Tara race this week is because the more stars you in have the heats the less chance a second tier horse is of causing an upset with an easy run, thus we get a higher quality Miracle Mile field and there is actually a whole lot less chance of a controversial invitation being given out because every horse is under the spotlight on the same night.
I gave up on the mm the year they left Our Sir Vancelot out for Mannaville!
For years they've stuffed around with that race. Mind you I do think the current conditions are close to as good as they will get. I like that the Chariots is two weeks prior and the winner gets invited. It also gives you another crack if you've got a good 4yo, you can run this week and give yourself another chance (eg Atomic red.) The one one thing I might change is to have the ladyship the week before and give the best mare a crack at the mm too.
We agree on that one Kev, but, nearly all publicity is good publicity for harness racing Kev :rolleyes:
As for the mighty mare Winx, if the Turnbull Stakes was a compulsory prelude, pretty sure the Waller camp would fulfil to make it into the Cox Plate (Moonee Valley would still give her an invite if she did fail in the Turnbull).
As you say not biggie.
But, was fantastic Winx did run in the Turnbull. Gave everyone (including me) the double chance to see her whilst in Melbourne. Just like Laz & Co running twice.
Thanks Breno. I like the heat, irrespective of investing.
True, the back up. And hard to tell what the flat tyre took out of his run to the line last week and going forward into this week. Tough in the Hondo Gratton, albeit restricted company as well, and had the 2 week break. Thinking out loud, looking at exotics, boxing him just in case :D
Yeah, I think having a crack at exotics is worthwhile, putting Atomic Red in and leaving out Moonrock and Anything For Love could be the play. I think there is a bit of an overreaction in the market based on those two having a good draw and Lenny and Heaven Rocks in the car park. Lenny and Heaven still got a fair bit of class on Moonrock and Anything For Love (sorry breeder Paul Humphreys!).
Edit: Just checked market and I see Heaven Rocks has been crunched in so its corrected itself a little.
Looking forward to Heaven Rocks running at Menangle. A horse that needs a tack that big to show his true ability.
What idiot said AFL was outclassed?
Congratulations to our latest 'Gp1 Breeder' poster and 1.48.7 !
Lucky they kept an invite for Laz :p
The NZers average night continues
Have to congratulate the format of the two heats the week before, weve ended up with a very un controversial final field.
Agree.
Would Lazarus only have been at 90% with an invite up his sleeve?
It's hard to say these days if it would be an unfair advantage if, for example, he got an early invite and didn't have to run tonight. At least this way it makes it equal. Fair enough a 4yo, Chariots winner, has the opportunity for a lighter week.
What is the final field Brendan?
As for Lazarus there was this
https://www.harnessmediacentre.com.a...date---lazarus
Of course 2 miles is more his go but fit he can still give it a shake (Go AFL)
A precautionary scope, just in case, as a couple of other Purdon horses were recovering from a virus. M P has said Laz would go 1:46 over a mile.
Lazarus
Lenny
Tiger Tara
Anything For Love
My Field Marshal
Soho Tribeca
Charlaval
Jilliby Kung Fu
Let It Ride & Atomic Red the emergencies
Lazarus $2.00 before barrier draw.
Per Gareth Hall - Tritton camp reckons AFL will lead as he's mad
Lazarus is vulnerable over the mile. Lacks a bit of zip. Waikiki Beach was out of form but took ground off Lazarus last year in the straight (not to be an expert after the fact - I have posted this before). A 1.47 mile may may suit him ore than than a 1.51 though.
Complements All Stars....
AUSSIE CHAT-
MARK
It has been a tough week and not just because of the sales busy though they are. The team over here caught a wee bug last week and it went through the team. A 48 hour thing and most have bounced back but it makes me a little wary about racing on Saturday. I am more looking at things being better next week and if they all come through these races in good heart I will be happy.
Actually THE DEVIL'S OWN is the one I have quite a bit of confidence in. He got the bug early and recovered quickly and has done well during the week. ALL U NEED IS FAITH I am a little more concerned about. He didn't get over things as quickly as the others. He is fine and its a Derby heat and he has the right draw to get a run but I will be happier when he is safely through the race and showing us he will be right for next week,
BARE KNUCKLE I am pleased with. I am putting her last run, which was a little disappointing, down to the fact she might have been on the edge of that bug and it affected her. She has been really good this week and I think she will be hard to beat.
HEAVEN ROCKS has had one of his weeks. He has been difficult and no getting around that. It is a different setup here than it was at Victoria when he had nice quiet buildups to his two races. Around here there are more distractions and Heaven Rocks is a horse who doesn't need distractions! So I don't really know what he will get up to on Saturday. He might not know either. But it hasn't been a great buildup even by his standards.
LAZARUS IS GOOD. He had the bug too but came through it well. I am quite happy with the ace draw because I wouldn't like to have drawn wider and sat outside Tiger Tara in a hard race like that. His main mission is obviously the Miracle Mile but he is such a good horse he is always hard to beat.
Breeder is a genius! Add the stipulation fastest ever Aust bred horse when winning. Lenny pulled out a 1.47.6 when running 2nd but I guess when being beaten it doesn't go in the record book.
Soho Tribeca enormous from the death. He has beaten Lazarus in an Inter heat, gave Chicago Bull a touch up in the WA Cup and arguably run of the night last night. Dependent on the draw could he even start favourite? Admittedly it will be a different Lazarus next week but I hope Soho draws well because if he does it will be a much better race.
Lenny gets in as previous year's winner.
Per Gareth Hall - Tritton camp reckons AFL will lead as he's mad. It was Gareth saying it, whether S T used the actual word mad, who knows. S T using Gareth to send a msg?
Just like MP saying about Lazarus “He’d go a one-minute 46 seconds mile if needed.”?
I really don't think Lazarus is a one mile horse, dosn't have the gate speed to get a nice sit. Would be a waste of time taking him to America, I don't think he could break 1.49 over a mile. Add another 1/4 mile or more and he is brilliant.
Barrier draw
1. Tiger Tara
2. Atomic Red (2nd E)
3. Anything for Love
4. My Field Marshall
5. Jilliby Kung Fu
6. Soho Tribeca
7. Lennytheshark
8. Charlaval
9. Let it Ride (1st E)
10. Lazarus
Fields are up and the first of six straight Gp.1's kicks off at 6.50
http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fie...s/?mc=PC240218
Are there any MM markets open yet Breno?
Thanks Brendan, I was looking in Futures
Will the Nats driver change see Laz rock and rolling early? She does own the speed records at Menangle. Hopefully all starters will be fit and healthy, 1:46 and a bit of change might be on the cards.