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Right with you brenno. Didn't need the last 2.
What the hell. Lisagain beaten 10m by Franco Jamar then beaten 15m tonight.Originally Posted by triplev123
Karloo Mick I can deal with because he was never going to sprint down in 26.8 if they run along the whole race he might get close. But thats pretty subjective so he doesn't really deserve a spot either.
They may as well erase the clause where it says they can go with 6 runners because it will never happen. If ever there was a year for it; especially under the new conditions; this was it. Did they pull Karloo Mick and Lisagain out of a lottery of the also rans????
Right with you brenno. Didn't need the last 2.
Now watch them run the quinella lol
I think they need to look at the selection criteria, they should just pick the winner's from the N.Z Cup, Newcastle mile and one sprint race at Menangle and then select the other 5 horses from anywhere they want. But in saying that they should of just went with 6 like they can but that will never happen as it will effect turnover bigtime so they may as well throw that clause straight out the window.
I'd dispense with the invites completely and designate it that if you don't race in the lead up events at Menangle then you don't get in. Simple as that. Cut & dried.
Remember the next time around they'll be going for $750,000 & when that sort of kanga is on offer then they'll come from far and wide to take their shots, no risk whatsoever.
I think the way they went this year with the concrete unless you are a superstar come to Menangle or you are not getting a run is pretty much spot on - not many people let alone the NSWHRC directors are export form analysts and there is always going to be conjecture over their selections.
NZ Cup they should make a definite in though; I mean its a tough to ask them to run in their Cup then either run or make trainers bypass the FFA then have to come over here and qualifty like Terror To Love. Most of the time the winner gets invited anyway (similar to Newcastle Cup where it was basically an unofficial auto invite) and acquits themself well.
The NZ Cup and the three auto invite races gives 4 spots auto invite. Those auto invite races should strengthen up as time goes on and this year they were all marginally stronger than in past years.
The discretionary 'superstar' invite is always only going to go 1 or 2 horses. The last 5 years it would have been 1 to BAF; BGJ would have got one about 4 and 5 years ago and Monkey King would have got one last year. This year it was only Smoken Up and IMTQ.
So that's 6 spots.
Then if you've got a horse who ran 2nd in the Newcastle Mile and 2nd in the Cordina he gets in. But otherwise its too hard to judge how Bitobliss and Melpark Major would stack up against Karloo Mick and Lisagain and the strict criteria at least everybody knows why they got in. Even under the strict criteria you've got people on forums saying those two shouldnt be in lol!
The good thing about Lisagain getting in is that it may stop the Kiwi's from sooking because clearly all the NZ Cup winner would have to do is turn up for the Cordina and it will be selected.
It is great money but the Inter is worth more and there gone the complete opposite way, if horses can win a heat in there state to get a start in the Inter whats the difference in a horse winning a race like the N.Z cup and getting a start in the Miracle Mile. Having 3 race's with automatic invites will attract great fields and great racing and with 5 invite's to be handed out they would have the discretion to either invite horses who did not compete in either 3 race's or they can if they wish.
I agree with you triple maybe 4 sprint heats over 2 night at menangle make it clear cut, at least they have 2 of the best three horses in Australia in the race. Bitobliss is a top horse in the making and they have missed the boat on that one I've seen him race a few times live and he could beat all bar Smoken Up on his own merits at this stage of his development. This is a very average field only 2 horses will attempt to race their normal race ITMQ and Smoken Up the rest will base the tactics around these 2 and be opportunistic at that non are tough enough to take Smoken Up on and who could out sprint ITMQ?
1) ITMQ
2) Smoken Up
3) Who Cares
Because while 2 or 3 invites might be clearcut they invariably stuff up with the final 1 or 2! With more auto-invite races it means the strength of those races are stronger and the Rohan Homes and Special Alberts are unlikely to win. With the NZ Cup an auto invite race Terror to Love would have already been in the field and with 5 discretionary invites I daresay Mr Feelgood would have got one of those. Which leaves you guessed it; Garnet River the Cordina Sprint winner getting a berth in the Miracle Mile! Not right!.
I guess what I am trying to say is discretionary invite the one or two superstars (eg Smoken Up and ITMQ) but leave the fringe horses (TTL, Franco Jamar, Raglan, Mr Feelgood) to win in an auto-invite race. Then the last couple spots are always contentious but with the concrete clause where they say horses who ran in the auto-invite races no-one can complain about Bitobliss or someone not being in the field. Whereas in the past it was left to decide between MMC and Melpark Major. And I am sure in years to come these lead up races will become slightly stronger (we could have had Lanercost, Bitobliss, David Hercules, Melpark Major, Auckland Reactor in these fields) and we might get hard luck stories where a horse runs 2nd in two lead ups but fails to win one so its a pretty obvious invite.
Otherwise who is to say Bitobliss deserves a spot in front of David Hercules or Lisagain. You can end up getting the wrong horse in the field; at least under this years criteria if the wrong horse gets in the field there is a concrete reason and everybody understands why - there is nothing stopping Bitobliss or someone else running in Sydney if they thought they were capable of a Miracle Mile - and hey a $77500 race is pretty appealing too.
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