Smoken Up---Hunter Cup

[p plater]

Can anyone tell me why Smoken Up is not in the betting for the Hunter Cup.
I thought he was nominated

[broncobrad]

NZ horses certainly get the best opportunity to qualify under the standing start clause with so many SS programmed year round on all sorts of surfaces and conditions. In all fairness if Australian connections really had targeted the Hunter Cup they had 12 months to find just one suitable SS event, hardly a huge hurdle to overcome. And the clause of having atleast one SS in 12 months does to a small extent go towards the protection of punters pinning their faith on a horse stepping when tapes are released.

Will be lambasted for this but to me the Hunter Cup has been a traditional landmark for toughness and quality almost year in year out. This years edition is B+ grade. I would expect it to be ultra-competitive all the same.

[Toohard]

NZ horses certainly get the best opportunity to qualify under the standing start clause with so many SS programmed year round on all sorts of surfaces and conditions. In all fairness if Australian connections really had targeted the Hunter Cup they had 12 months to find just one suitable SS event, hardly a huge hurdle to overcome. And the clause of having atleast one SS in 12 months does to a small extent go towards the protection of punters pinning their faith on a horse stepping when tapes are released.

Will be lambasted for this but to me the Hunter Cup has been a traditional landmark for toughness and quality almost year in year out. This years edition is B+ grade. I would expect it to be ultra-competitive all the same.

Would that condition have been published 12 months ago? They only publish races 3 months out from now?

Auckland Reactor and Our Blackbird both ODS but still eligible.

Using ITMQ as example only. Looked WA stands next 3 months and assuming typical of all throughout year. M0 or better. He cops 40m+ handicap in stand over there? So no point competing (I'm using as example only and not bagging him!!!!).

So has to run around in one anyway to be eligible for biggest handicap in Aust?

Like saying So You Think has to lump 70kg in a 2 mile race to be eligible for Melbourne Cup?

[p plater]

Would that condition have been published 12 months ago? They only publish races 3 months out from now?

Auckland Reactor and Our Blackbird both ODS but still eligible.

Using ITMQ as example only. Looked WA stands next 3 months and assuming typical of all throughout year. M0 or better. He cops 40m+ handicap in stand over there? So no point competing (I'm using as example only and not bagging him!!!!).

So has to run around in one anyway to be eligible for biggest handicap in Aust?

Like saying So You Think has to lump 70kg in a 2 mile race to be eligible for Melbourne Cup?

Only difference is Paul the thoroughbreds don't shoot themselves in the foot like the HRV has here. They want the best horses and the bigger turnover.

Lucky for us, they couldn't think of some stupid race rule to stuff up the Victoria Cup which was a great race to watch.

[Lucky Camilla"s Lovechild]

Only difference is Paul the thoroughbreds don't shoot themselves in the foot like the HRV has here. They want the best horses and the bigger turnover.

Lucky for us, they couldn't think of some stupid race rule to stuff up the Victoria Cup which was a great race to watch.

Bailey, the HRV should not have to spoon feed owners/trainers the conditions of a race. The onus is on the connections, in this instance.

[broncobrad]

Ten metre max handicap for Hunter Cup

http://www.harnesslink.com/www/Article.cgi?ID=103289

[Toohard]

Totally right Leigh. We don't want the best horses running around in the best race.

Next year Albury, Port Pirie, anywhere close to Vic border, putting on a 800m, stand. Don't have to win it, just bowl around and be eligible for Hunter Cup.

[Lucky Camilla"s Lovechild]

Totally right Leigh. We don't want the best horses running around in the best race.

Next year Albury, Port Pirie, anywhere close to Vic border, putting on a 800m, stand. Don't have to win it, just bowl around and be eligible for Hunter Cup.

I notice there were at least 18 other horses who's connections bothered to read the conditions Paul. Or are there a couple of owners/trainers who are above that?

[Toohard]

I notice there were at least 18 other horses who's connections bothered to read the conditions Paul. Or are there a couple of owners/trainers who are above that?

Not disputing that Leigh. Just all seems a little absurd. Our 'showcase' with no room for the best horses?

[Lucky Camilla"s Lovechild]

Not disputing that Leigh. Just all seems a little absurd. Our 'showcase' with no room for the best horses?

I'm almost certain there are owners who are wetting themselves, Australias 2 best horses are not running Paul!