Is group classification of a race solely determined by $? I'm asking after seeing the Inner City Pace is classified a Group 2. How can a C2-C4 be a group 2 race? Seems absurd. Other than sex and age classification racing surely open age group races should be open for all horses. The gallops wouldn't have a Group 2 Benchmark 60 or a Group 3 maiden. Just a curious observation....
It is within the guidelines but more importantly it has been around for years (50 I think) and if you care to look at past winners you will see some rippers,Bold Biami and Rip Van Winkle are two that come to mind.Originally Posted by Gtrain
This series is whole heartedly embraced by the good people of Maitland and surrounds and the atmosphere on the final night is second to none.Even allowing for the Third World amenities it is a great night out,still.Just like a night at the Trots used to be.
Tend to agree with Ron and stand to be accused of tribalism (happily). When a country harness club knows its got something that brings the crowd to its big night of the year, not only should it stay but it should be nurtured. Never set foot on the Maitland track but know for a fact the last two years have been absolute crackers!! Up here Grafton way, the CRJC once not too long ago had the ONLY Group Three country race in the nation (aka the Grafton Cup 2400m). Some smart bean counter thought that wasn't right and sure as s*** the Cup was downgraded to a Listed race. When that happened the class of horse entered dropped exponentially. These days the Cup is nothing more than a glorified mid-week welter handicap that would go around at Canterbury in the middle of Winter.
There is an importance attached to these types of races that only the locals and connections of horses nominated can quantify. Case in point being Come On Frank being aimed at the SA Cup next week when he is clearly at the end of his current preparation. There is a matter of pride involved (BTW do your state proud Frank) and I have got to admire that spirit, successful or otherwise.
Back to the original point...does anybody remember Kensei? He won the Grafton Cup back in 1987 and went on to win the Melbourne Cup a few months later. Guarantee there won't be another because the same calibre of horse will never grace the Grafton track in July again. The smarties who know better have seen to that. So if you are on a committee of a country club, embrace what you have and hold on to it as tight as you can and build on it. The rewards are there to see when your local community turns out in droves to enjoy it. Its not all about metropolitan meetings guys.
This what it is about,check the crowd.http://www.trotstv.com.au/?mc=MD050113&rn=7
We should have Graded Stakes Racing based on specific $$$ criteria because in some States you can win an 'Oaks' or a 'Derby' & score a Gr. 1 win...for $$$ that is waaaaaaaaaay below the 100k mark. That just devalues the whole thing.
Yes,money and only money. The only criteria that we should have,the only benchmark we should strive to surpass,the only reason we all should have to compete,the only measure of worth.
Stuff the traditions,stuff the poorer relations,stuff those who are having a go,stuff those of tradition,stuff those who might feel they can beat their superiors,stuff those who feel that the idea of history should prevail.
Let's make the Inter Dominion (ha,ha,ha) a victim of “we've got more money than you,so get stuffed”. Oh,we already have?
We've got more money than you,so,we will take 80 years of tradition,throw it out the door and institute an event that looks like an invitational,discretionary FFA, that has an highly subjective set of entry criteria that will bring many bitter recriminations over the years.
That this will devalue the achievements of previous winners means SFA. We've got the money so you can all get stuuuuuuffed.
Let's take away from smaller club's their major meeting for the year. Let's give those volunteers who work all year to prepare for their minute in the sun a good swift kick in the guts because they don't have the money that others have. Let's disregard the opinions of trainers and drivers who say that while this particular event may not have the dollars attached to it,they look forward to winning it anyway. Let's take away any recognition that doesn't have a monetary value
Let's make our group races the same as “Royal Honours”,if you can buy it,it's yours.
Now I may be wrong saying that Brian Hancock was the trainer, driver, who said the following,and I paraphrase and offer an apology if it was not he,that he had an elderly lady client whose sole ambition was to have a runner in the Inter Dominion,not that her horse would be a chance of winning,but to be a “part of the show”. The remark was also made that this lady's attitude was what kept the game going.
Stuff that all you double fisted wankers, where's the money?
Missed the point entirely Ron.
Why should, for example, an Oaks in SA with... say a 25k ticket...carry Gr. 1 status placing it alongside a NSW Oaks...with say a 100k+ ticket?
Didn't miss the point at all.You have just made the same point again,that $$$ should be the only criteria for group status.
To apply that logic,the high bid for the Inter Dom should enhance the standing of that event.
Would (could) you agree that it has?
I dont have a problem if a club wants to run an Oaks for 20-25K, BUT it should not carry Group/Black type status. It makes a mockery of horses having to beat the best to attain a certain level of excellence. The reality is that the higher the stake, the stronger the field. Some of the recent Oaks/Derbies in certain jurisdictions have been nothing more than maidens....
Ron you have missed the point. Of course money should be the criteria. Group races should be won by the best horses in the country. Birdsville Picnics gets a big crowd and has a dedicated group of volunteers that help run outback queenslands most famous race day, so by your logic it should be a group race. Ridiculous. Group races should be raced in by the best horses for the best money. I know myself when reading APG catalogue at this time of the year you will see progeny of a Group placed/winning mare and you ALWAYS have to check if it was the SA oaks where it was beaten 30m in 2.02.
Group races should be for our elite HORSES in any particular racing category. Not just because an event is well publicised, patronised and run by any club.
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