Hunter Cup 2019

[Messenger]

I will make it easy for you to find the field. It is not front and centre on trots.com.au as they only list until Feb 1 so you have to click Full Calendar then change from Jan to Feb - UNBELIEVABLE

http://www.harness.org.au/racing/fie...19#MXM02021901

You can piece it together from Cody's story

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/art...-barrier-draw/

But the bottom of the Harnesslink News story by Adam Hamilton was much simpler

http://www.harnesslink.com/Australia...for-Tiger-Tara

It is hard to believe a C6/M1 can get a gig

[Messenger]

Has the draw ruined the contest and made it a potential procession for Tiger Tara?

[Dot]

Not a full field Kev, and probably not the Butt stables first choice representative either.

[Dot]

The $1.50 for Tiger Tara suggests so Kev. Very Hard not to see him not leading and Toddy not getting some easy sectionals again early.

[Messenger]

Feb 2 (Hunter Cup) has now been added to listed meetings making it much easier to find the field
I reckon they are listening (they would no doubt deny it LOL)

[PremiumEdition]

Yes Kev an M1 in the Hunter Cup sheeesh, I know its almost impossible to compare great horse from the past but I saw Waitaki Hanover win the Hunter Cup at the Showgrounds from 24yd behind and ran something like 2.06 for the 14 furlongs (2800m) around a saucer from a Stand Start. I'd would love to see the gooduns of yesterday on the bigger tracks of today.

[teecee]

Yes Kev an M1 in the Hunter Cup sheeesh, I know its almost impossible to compare great horse from the past but I saw Waitaki Hanover win the Hunter Cup at the Showgrounds from 24yd behind and ran something like 2.06 for the 14 furlongs (2800m) around a saucer from a Stand Start. I'd would love to see the gooduns of yesterday on the bigger tracks of today.

Gosh M1 eh??? Well that's not too bad eh? After all the race is open to all and sundry M0+

[Messenger]

But should it be Tony? Should a horse that has never won a Metro race be eligible for an elite race?

The M1 this year is Raukapuka Ruler: assessed as R88 in NZ
He had 1 win (his M0) and 0 placings in the last season and a bit before being exported here
Here he has run a nice second to My Field Marshal in a Metro race and in his non Metro win at Menangle ran good time (both only mile races). A slow Goulburn win is his only other credit.
He has ability but has only put one real score on the board - The Norhern Derby nearly 2 years ago. Is that enough to be entitled to a crack at the Hunter Cup.
Admittedly others have been given a shot with less

In the NZ Cup the only creditable run by a horse rated <100 was that of Forgotten Highway who managed 8th

I suppose it depends on whether you see the AG Hunter as a 'Cox Plate' or a 'Melbourne Cup'

I guess programming it as a M0+ makes it the latter

[teecee]

But should it be Tony? Should a horse that has never won a Metro race be eligible for an elite race?

The M1 this year is Raukapuka Ruler: assessed as R88 in NZ
He had 1 win (his M0) and 0 placings in the last season and a bit before being exported here
Here he has run a nice second to My Field Marshal in a Metro race and in his non Metro win at Menangle ran good time (both only mile races). A slow Goulburn win is his only other credit.
He has ability but has only put one real score on the board - The Norhern Derby nearly 2 years ago. Is that enough to be entitled to a crack at the Hunter Cup.
Admittedly others have been given a shot with less

In the NZ Cup the only creditable run by a horse rated <100 was that of Forgotten Highway who managed 8th

I suppose it depends on whether you see the AG Hunter as a 'Cox Plate' or a 'Melbourne Cup'

I guess programming it as a M0+ makes it the latter

What you are really asking is how do group 1 winners over here get into Group one races over there? The answer to that is obvious I would say.
The next question is how do group 1 winners over here get M0 or M1 assessments over there? That is a question I don't have an answer to that satisfys my own curiosity.
The next question is why are Australian over there starting to buy our better horses like the aforementioned Raukapuka Ruler along with Sicario and yes even Tiger Tara and Chicago Bull to name but a few? It's because they will go over there to such a low rating that they can pay back in truckloads for their large purchase price. Everyone wins. Kiwis get bigger money for their best horses, Aussies buy these good horses to race for good money against lesser lights due to their assessment paying back their outlay with major interest.
The only losers are the poor Aussies who have to compete against these and the Australian administrators who are slow to react to what their handicapping system is doing to the industry.

Just as the foal numbers in Australia are down season on season so too are our foal numbers. It's already at the stage of you taking our best knowing you can make up your outlay on a good NZ horse. As Aussie's breeding barn we will soon run out of horses. What then? IMO the answer lies in your handicapping system.
Back to the original point. Raukupuka Ruler (20-6-2) Gp1(1-0-0) is well qualified on race performance to compete in the Hunter Cup. WE are having to allow any race winners into the NZ Cup when previously you needed 10 Handicap wins just to nominate. Why the change?
Our intermediate graders have been exported. And now the market wants our best and will pay anything for them knowing the outlay will return a handsome profit all things considered.

[Richard prior]

Words of Wisdom Tony