3yo Holloway Classic Ballarat

[Messenger]

The $15k 3yo Holloway Classic at Ballarat on Friday
All 6 nominations are from the Stewart stable
2 late noms (to make sure the race stood up?)
Will the late ones end up being scratchings?

[gutwagon]

Kevin, I notice many 6 horse races have 1 scratching. A lot of phantom nominating going on just to get races to hold up. I doubt the board would care to much either but it's not good for turnover. It's fine if you have 5 quality horses running but it's not often the case and you end up with a very short priced fav.

[arlington]

From the stewards:-

As Trainer Emma Stewart has all of the six (6) horses engaged in Race 7 at Ballarat on Friday 24 May 2019, Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards notify that connections of the respective horses have indicated the following intended driving tactics to be adopted:

N1 ALWAYS FAST - to be driven with cover;
N2 CENTENARIO - to be driven forward;
N3 TWO TIMES BETTOR - to be driven with cover;
N4 HURRICANE HARLEY - to be driven forward with cover;
N5 FOURBIGMEN - may look to work forward;
N6 DEMON DELIGHT - to be driven for one run.

[aussiebreno]

From the stewards:-

As Trainer Emma Stewart has all of the six (6) horses engaged in Race 7 at Ballarat on Friday 24 May 2019, Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards notify that connections of the respective horses have indicated the following intended driving tactics to be adopted:

N1 ALWAYS FAST - to be driven with cover;
N2 CENTENARIO - to be driven forward;
N3 TWO TIMES BETTOR - to be driven with cover;
N4 HURRICANE HARLEY - to be driven forward with cover;
N5 FOURBIGMEN - may look to work forward;
N6 DEMON DELIGHT - to be driven for one run.

I get why stewards have done this but is it actually in the rules? I thought they had to notify stewards aa multiple runners in a race but it was kept to stewards?

[aussiebreno]

And if you couldnt work out those tactics yourself you probably shouldnt be betting.

[gutwagon]

Will be interesting to see the turnover on this race, personally I would watch this race but not bet on it as I believe the result has been decided by the stable. It will basically be a procession as positions have been pre decided.

Maybe it's time to limit the number of runners per stable in a race to 3, just for integrity reasons. If that means less races so be it. These type of races are driving people away from the industry.

[Galli]

A glimpse to the future?

[Bonnie]

Will be interesting to see the turnover on this race, personally I would watch this race but not bet on it as I believe the result has been decided by the stable. It will basically be a procession as positions have been pre decided.

Maybe it's time to limit the number of runners per stable in a race to 3, just for integrity reasons. If that means less races so be it. These type of races are driving people away from the industry.

Have to disagree with you Rick. The result has NOT been decided by the stable. These horses all have owners ,Disappointingly, the only thing that has influenced this race is the Barrier Draw with Centenario in 2 , makes it harder for the others to win , but Harley will give it his best shot. 4 of these horses were in the Withers which was abandoned at Kilmore and rescheduled. This stable does not usually have multiple horses in the one race, however owners and trainers are becoming very frustrated with the programming and lack of racing for them. Three year olds are barred from C0’s and now many more C1 races are restricted to 4 year olds and older. Where do you find races for these 3 year olds ? I do think harness racing needs exciting racing and good horses to attract patrons and punters and HRV should be programming races with that in mind. There are far too many restrictions placed on races to appease punters however it is having a detrimental effect on fields. Also from an owners perspective I would rather my horses be at the races instead of standing around in their box. Many owners share my sentiments.

[Messenger]

Anne is correct in saying that this stable does not usually have multiple runners in the one race (other than the big juvenile races and features for which they have the numbers)
It would surely be interesting to see one of the long-shot late noms get up ;)

[aussiebreno]

Shouldn't each individual driver be given instructions from the trainer and not know the instructions of the other 5 stable runners to ensure integrity. Now each driver knows the other fives tactics, so where is the integrity in that?

[Messenger]

I hope we have a semaphore board tonight or else the first half could be a crawl

[Bonnie]

Agree with you Brendan

[Messenger]

Silly question as we are not using the NR scheme yet and it has no bearing on the race tonight
But I am interested to know how Hurricane Harley is rated 54 not 55
55 being what the Transition to ratings table gives a C1 (pg5 No12 of the pdf)

[Dot]

He wasn’t a C1 on the first of May but a C0 so transitioned at 50 points. Won in early May so plus 4 to show now 54 points

If I’ve read it right upward points won’t count so he will go back to 50 points on 1 July. Or something like that based on the lower of his transition rating and rating based on transition and last 5 starts

[Messenger]

Thanks Dot
The initial Transition table will be a godsend to a few star juveniles

[Dot]

And a burden to those older horses who’s genuine ability is in the now C0 to C2 range or 50 to 60 points as these and other good juveniles double dip. Can’t understand for the life of me why there is no retrospectivety in the transition. The owners of the “good” horses won’t retire them but the owners of the “average” ones depending on programming just might. I have one of mine earmarked for retirement, she is C2/59 and that is genuinely reflective of her level of ability, but I can’t see how she can be competive for several months minimum at least after ratings are implemented.

[Messenger]

We are used to seeing 4yo+ races. Maybe for the first full season of the NR system we might need some 5yo+ races

[Messenger]

An age Tk Record for Centenario of 1.53.4
And the 2 late noms filled the places

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=BA240519#BAC24051906

[Dot]

Centenario back to his best after disappointing NSW Derby, outcome determined very shortly after the start, a lot to be said for not covering any extra ground

[gutwagon]

Centenario back to his best after disappointing NSW Derby, outcome determined very shortly after the start, a lot to be said for not covering any extra ground
Outcome was determined when tactics were announced !

I know it's not the stables fault that no other horses nominated but now many people like myself are wondering if stable connections made a killing on the exotic dividends with the outsiders filling the placings.

Lack of competition is the result of 20 years of the board only concentrating on turnover and ignoring breeders, owners and on course attendance .

[Messenger]

IMO those wondering about the exotics can rest assured that no killing was made

The Tri pool was $5.9k, the First 4 pool was $4.3k, the Quin pool was $1.1k and the Exacta pool was $1.6k

https://www.tab.com.au/racing/2019-05-24/BALLARAT/M/H/7/Win

[gutwagon]

There are a lot of places to bet besides the TAB Kevin. The pools were low as I expected , even the last race of the night seemed to suffer due to this race.

[Messenger]

Of course, I know there are many places to bet BUT on this one I just don't think so