Apg 2019

[Messenger]

The numbers seem down.
We have 2 small heats for each sex at Melton tomorrow
Plus a small heat for the fillies at Albion Park followed by one for the colts on Saturday
We have already had one for each at GP a fortnight ago

What happened to the scheduled heats for Menangle on Saturday - I guess they did not stand up

In total it would seem that only 23 fillies and 28 colts and geldings are contesting the series

[Dot]

The field sizes are down but 2 heats for fillies and 2 heats for colts in Vic is what the new format is, no semis anymore, winner and runner up from Vic Heats through to final. Menangles has the same number of heats but they have been transferred to Tuesday’s meeting as they weren’t optimum for wagering returns on the metro meeting. So the totals are a bit higher but still disappointing.

What has been a talking point though is the series conditions indicate that the heats will be conducted for a states base prizemoney so Vic has programmed their heats for $7k, NSW’s heats are apparently being run for approx $11k and Qlds heats apparently are also for higher stakemoney.

[Messenger]

Thanks Dot, that makes sense. The Menangle heats should be available at 4pm today

[Messenger]

Menangle fields

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=ME300419

Which means (barring any scratchings) we will have had 38 fillies and 41 C&Gs contest the series

Emma Stewart/Chris Alford won all 4 heats at Melton today (and only 1 was a favourite)

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=MX260419

[Dot]

Does that include WA Kev for which the heats were a few weeks ago? Evenso, disappointing numbers and whilst no doubt the finals will be keenly contested the APG series is far from hitting a home run as far as cost, format and appeal go.

[Messenger]

Yes, Dot, that includes the 2 heats in WA a couple of weeks back

[Messenger]

Albion Ark wins at Albion Park

With 7 of the 9 starters it was a fair chance that Grant Dixon was going to train the C&G's heat at Albion Park tonight

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=AP270419#APC27041908

Pelosi's win in the fillies heat last night was over 5secs faster.
1.53.3 for a 2yo filly winning by 23m is a fair run

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=AP260419#APC26041909

[Messenger]

Menangle first heat for the C&G and it was crunch time and Crunch Time the outsider of the field gets up at $51

Then the first heat for the Fillies and the cream of breeding rises to the top as Mackenzie and Vincent's little sis Keep Rockin notches up her first win

Spy Major and Roscommon Rose win the other 2 heats to ensure all the favourites were beaten
Unfortunately for Luke McCarthy backers, he created a sprint lane for a couple that were on his back

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=ME300419

[Messenger]

"Holy Nightmare Batman!"
What were you guys doing when I was in hospital having a zipper put in my chest?
10 weeks later I have just now remembered that I missed the APG finals (the anaesthetic is a killer)

I have some serious replay watching to do this weekend

[Dot]

Ahhhh watching the APG finals Kev what do you think we were ( or at least I was ) doing? I say that because the change in format meant apparently a good deal more people then you Kev, for far more mundane reasons then a bit of maintenance on a dicky ticker, missed it too! I could tell you Kev, but I’ll leave you to watch!

Been a couple of industry forums among vendors and purchasers predominantly about the future of the sale and series. Apparently well attended and a survey containing a number of options has since been put out by APG I think, not that I’ve seen it, as it appears that it’s only been sent to those who buy and sell at APG to see what sort of changes they’d like to see, rather then also including those who don’t buy and sell at APG to see what changes would get them to participate.

Dont know what other options were offered but know that reducing prizemoney for the major APG finals and introducing an APG first win bonus to share the wealth around more is quite popular with a number of people.