"The best 8 horses" is always going to be a matter of opinion. Whether it is solely through invitations at the discretion of the directors or via the route the club has created this year there will always be people who feel a better horse missed out. No system is perfect and that is why we end up with this same tired conversation every year. You will never please everyone, and in some will never be pleased at all.

At the end of the day the NSWHRC put on an invitational event at a high cost to themselves. They should be able to pick and choose whoever they feel is appropriate. In all seriousness, you could not leave out a horse who ran 1.48 and change at that track only 7 months prior. With Smoken Up and ITMQ invited the race is assured of Australiasia's best two performers over the last 12 months. They have earned their passage, the rest can do the same and best of luck to them. I hope this Staurday that Terror To Love unleashes a last quarter like he did last Tuesday and makes it into the MM. What a race it will be.