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Quote:
Originally Posted by Messenger
100% agree .
And via the stupid lane , a horse beats the one who should have won the RS. Just my opinion .
Personally, I think Racing Qld have done a great job with their decisions.
The bonus points is a great initiative for a few reasons. I think it's unrealistic to think it would be manipulated as you say Kevin. On the flip side, it gives horses that are unlucky with the barrier draws a chance to earn some extra points. It also gives a horse that makes a mistake (or suffers interference) a chance to earn 1 or 2 bonus points. After all, we all want the best horses to have a chance to make the final don't we? ... not just the luckiest horses.
The decision to allow a 4yr old winner a chance at the Interdom final is also a great initiative. They were also required to race again this week, so that takes away the argument that they don't have to race in 2 heats like the others. Imagine it was a generational 4yr old, say a Leap To Fame type, it would be amazing to see him step up and race the older horses. It would create intrigue and interest in the race, which is what we want our administrators doing. And don't forget that its inclusion was going to be IN ADDITION to the horses that earned their way into the final on points, so the 4yr old wasn't taking anyone's place, they were increasing the field size.
The controversy over the field selection in the RS is fair enough, everyone has their own opinion on these things. There is no right or wrong. Also, there is often someone worthy that has to miss out. I haven't seen any great arguments on which horse specifically should have missed out. If we are talking about Rubira, then the market suggests he deserved his spot in the race, he started 2nd favourite after all. This would suggest that he earned his place. Remember he just beat Path To Greatness and (the eventual winner) Fate Awaits in a strong Redcliffe Derby. Even the outsider of the RS field, Charge Ahead, was recently placed 2nd in the Chariots Of Fire, our premier 4yr old race in Australia. Hard to leave him out. I have no problem with the decision to leave out the horse that only has 3yr old filly form. If she is good enough, then she can have a crack next year as a 4 yr old.
Just my opinion on things.
Interesting Patrick. I think there are better ways to even things out. Old and traditional, I know but having 3 heats and with evened out barrier draws, I don't know the name for it but it has been done before, where every runners 3 draws adds up to roughly 20.
I don't care much about the 4yo concept
As for the controversy over field selection, I do not agree that "there is no right or wrong". Most of the time there is but again that is only IMO (LOL)
I agree Trish that The Janitor was very unlucky as the head on suggests that Grant drifted out meaning that Trista did not need to cut into the sprint lane but simply continue straight on
Quote:
Originally Posted by Messenger
Old and traditional is the only fair way IMO .
https://www.harness.org.au/media-roo...?news_id=70385
DH is very good but I personally , do not think he is in LTF's class .
But in saying that Luke is a very smart driver .
https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fi...s/?mc=AP120725
When you only have 2 rounds of heats it does not strike me as very fair that using the placegetters from the first round, in the next round:
One heat has 5 of the placegetters and the other two heats only have 2 placegetters
In the trot heats it is even worse. In the second round one heat has both the winners and runners up while the other heat only has the third placegetters (but also both 4ths and 5ths)
I am thinking that anything other than those top four in that heat may have their work cut out for them although Zealous Spur could still be a chance to make the final but London To A Brick certainly has a mountain to climb
Maybe LTAB will win & get those idiotic bonus points!
https://harnesslink.com/australia/in...ound-of-heats/
Leap To Fame is drawn on the inside of the second row so the obvious question is whether driver Grant Dixon will try to follow up on Luke McCarthy on Don Hugo who is drawn the pole and could be expected to lead.
I feel LTF will have to go around & sit outside DH & do a Cambridge . But it would be interesting if he did hold DHs back & out sprint him but I think DH would have to hang out around the turn for LTF to have enough time to catch him , especially if DH gets his own way in front .
If I was the Seymours I would be looking at the bigger picture and just driving for luck here
Yea fair enough . That way if he keeps DH back & runs 2nd or 3rd ,even 4th he can do a Cambridge in the final if he draws bad again , as he will have plenty of petrol left .Quote:
Originally Posted by Messenger
Not sure if the stable want to get beat though .
Sure Thing Captain would seem to be a horse of the future. Half way through his 5yo season he has now won two Inter heats
Missed it & just watched the replay .
Yes he goes very well.
Pity WAS does not seem to be going as well as he can .
LTF is a freak .Quote:
Originally Posted by trish
Great drive Mr Dixon.
He drove the best race with the best horse .
You could see what Luke was trying to do but it simply did not work out .
How about the NZ horse hitting Luke's head .
The champ would seem to have made the final a non event
I was just thinking how much 2nd & 3rd is worth to every other horse that makes the final
Goodness me , what a mess that 2yo race was .
And the cause of it - Atua Magic got up for 3rd and $50k
He is beautifully bred and being a NZ purchase had to look at races like this as his target
Atua and Ark Magic (2nd) had only had 2 starts each and only won $8k and $10k respectively before tonight
Do you reckon , that those who were messed up could have protested?
If for no other reason, they probably realized that being promoted one position would still only mean the same prizemoney (6th - 10th was $10k)
Derr , of cause.
https://www.harness.org.au/media-roo...?news_id=70445
A new initiative of bonus points for sectional times, gained Oscar Bonavena three extra points and just scraped into the 12-horse field next Saturday.
If it beat other horses in , on the stupid bonus points , then that is just wrong IMO .
Many agree with you Trish but if you are awarding bonus points they have to count for something.
The Pacers
Don't award bonus points .
Silly idea IMO .
I do not think it is fair at all .
The draws
The trot
Interesting draw for LTF but nothing can beat him but bad luck . I really hope he hold the lead .Quote:
Originally Posted by Messenger
Nothing can sit outside him & win . Nothing is good enough to do that work , no disrespect but LTF is that good .
Captains Knock could run 2nd if LTF holds up , & CAW or STC for 3rd if they are held up for 1 run .
That's my trifecta anyway .
Hoping RR runs huge for Jess & James .
Trotters .Quote:
Originally Posted by Messenger
AP after the draw , but if BNW finds the front he will be rather hard to beat , 3rd G , if he does everything right .
I don't think LTF can hold the lead, I think they will be looking to get off the fence straight away - having the benefit of stablemate Tims leaving a gap behind Rakero
I watched the replay of the last heat he was in & he near stayed on DH back albeit DH was heading right & near started from gate 2 , there was just about enough room for LTF to go up inside of him .
I think he has to have a go at holding the lead , I would not think he would want the death for the distance of this race but in saying that it probley wouldn't worry him .
It is great to see such a big night of racing in Qld on Saturday night
https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fi...s/?mc=AP190725
CHYNCHILLA NZ (deceased)
That's sad . Feel sorry for connections when this happens .