2013-2015 Inters

[aussiebreno]

It seems while I was sleeping Greg Hayes has somehow warped my brain and stolen my thoughts.
http://www.harnesslink.com/www/Article.cgi?ID=90553

I'd almost give the article a 10/10 but now I got Say it aint so Joe stuck in my head.

[mango]

I can't believe i'm about to agree with Greg Hayes, under the n.s.w structure i think it is an absolute disgrace. Surely they must be joking right ?

[triplev123]

I like Hayes, always have, and while I don't always agree with him he puts his views across from the heart. I can see exactly where he is coming from here in this latest commentary, it has long been his often repeated position however I think he might have gotten one aspect of this a little wrong.
I'm aware of the basics of the proposed conditions & nowhere does it actually guarantee each State & NZ a starter. Rather, what it does it that it guarantees the winners of designated races in each State & NZ a start...and that's something very different. A VIC trained horse can still go to QLD and win such a race. A WA horse can still score in VIC, a TAS horse in NSW, a Kiwi horse in SA or whatever.
As I understand this proposal has been loosely based on an extension of / alteration to the previously employed 'points earned in other GC races' concept. In effect it's going to become an Australasian Grand Circuit Championship where the 'Heats' will be the designated races in each State & NZ and it'll culminate in the Final at Menangle. Personally, I think it's a pretty good idea.

[aussiebreno]

I like Hayes, always have, and while I don't always agree with him he puts his views across from the heart. I can see exactly where he is coming from here in this latest commentary, it has long been his often repeated position however I think he might have gotten one aspect of this a little wrong.
I'm aware of the basics of the proposed conditions & nowhere does it actually guarantee each State & NZ a starter. Rather, what it does it that it guarantees the winners of designated races in each State & NZ a start...and that's something very different. A VIC trained horse can still go to QLD and win such a race. A WA horse can still score in VIC, a TAS horse in NSW, a Kiwi horse in SA or whatever.
As I understand this proposal has been loosely based on an extension of / alteration to the previously employed 'points earned in other GC races' concept. In effect it's going to become an Australasian Grand Circuit Championship where the 'Heats' will be the designated races in each State & NZ and it'll culminate in the Final at Menangle. Personally, I think it's a pretty good idea.

If heats are on at different day/week then that is stupid as some can go around chasing and lose out once but get a 2nd chance against a different batch of horses; it isnt even (or designed evenly)for all horses. If they are on at the same time then it may not be about the best horse but rather the best placed horse.
Still don't like it!

[Don Corleone]

I hope they are joking. Totally agree with the article. If the powers to be think the ID is no longer viable then cease the series. Do not cheapen it and turn it into something it isn't.

[mango]

Myself i like the 3 heat's and then the final, i like seeing all the top horses go at it for a couple of wks. If n.s.w think they have the best track why not use it.

[David Summers]

Myself i like the 3 heat's and then the final, i like seeing all the top horses go at it for a couple of wks. If n.s.w think they have the best track why not use it.

My thoughts exactly , mango. Surely if it did go ahead in the style proposed by HRNSW , then it would be a travesty to still call it by the title "Interdominion" , with all the history that comes with that.

Regarding Hayes and his often self-important opinions on harness racing matters, I will not make any comment as I might get a bit carried away. However , others may feel the need to always take what he says as gospel , not me ;-)

[Flashing Red]

Bring back the three heats and the final. It separated the men from the boys! Anyone who thinks the modern horses can't do it should watch the 3yos on Jug Day! Racing 2 sometimes 3 times in the one day, with times never slower than about 52 for the colts, all on a half mile track! Good on WA for reverting back to the original format!

[Mighty Atom]

Bring back the three heats and the final. It separated the men from the boys! Anyone who thinks the modern horses can't do it should watch the 3yos on Jug Day! Racing 2 sometimes 3 times in the one day, with times never slower than about 52 for the colts, all on a half mile track! Good on WA for reverting back to the original format!

Hi Flashing Red and Nat. I agree with both of you. Harping back to the dark ages of the sixties and seventies it wasn't uncommon to race your horse twice in one night and more often than not they would perform better the second start. I'm a bit of a traditionalist but if there is one thing that would sway me is holding the ID's at Menagle - fantastic track-every state should have one.

[Flashing Red]

Hi Flashing Red and Nat. I agree with both of you. Harping back to the dark ages of the sixties and seventies it wasn't uncommon to race your horse twice in one night and more often than not they would perform better the second start. I'm a bit of a traditionalist but if there is one thing that would sway me is holding the ID's at Menagle - fantastic track-every state should have one.

Qld could have one but there is too much squabbling going on at the moment!! In the US, they all warm up their horses and sometimes the drivers in the score down turn them and work them a mile trip as well! They all seem to believe they race better after a warm up and/or blowout on racenight. I go through periods of gym involvement, when running I feel exhausted the first 5-10 minutes but then its like you get a second wind. I'm sure its the same for horses (ever driven one that's sluggish the first trip yet on the steel by the second or third trip when you're at home??)