Hi Steven,
Yeah I have a punt but not to any great degree.
Maybe you have misunderstood my stand on this matter. It appears the industry in NSW is making its decisions purely to increase betting turnover, from the CEO's comments to increased race sizes. No doubt the idea of the Handicappers framing the race conditions AFTER nominations was to ensure races stood up, fair enough no major problem with that. The problem lies imo, they then apply conditions to allow horses way beyond the base of a race to compete, as highlighted recently with Monifieth a M9 at the time of nomination being allowed to compete against horses coming through the grades in a M1-M2 heat for a Group 3 final for M1-M2, that's what the program stated.
We see it every week these add on conditions. But this is driving Owners and Trainers up the wall, they have no control in the placement of their horses. It was not that long ago when trainers could map out a program for their horse knowing the class of horse and possible barrier position at the time of nomination. As trainers say "no gut buster" and some trainers were outstanding at placing a horse. That has now gone with the C2 or better and M2 or better lotto that now prevails.
NSW needs to allow owners and trainers to place their horses, let them feel they have an input and encourage involvement..we need more owners to boast our racing stock which in turn will increase race sizes and turnover.