Quote Originally Posted by triplev123 View Post
I always find it fascinating how so many people in the Harness Racing Industry are taken aback by those who feel it neccessary to stridently express their views about where the Industry has been, where it is at present and where it should be headed in the future.
I've been watching these absolutely wonderful Standardbreds of ours go around since back when I wasn't tall enough to see over the outside fence & was of an age where I didn't have to worry about going to school the next day if we got home late from a Sunday meeting...and little has changed in the ensuing 38 odd years as far as the way in which the Industry meets change.
Whenever they're confronted by views that are a little outside the square...there has always existed a widespread desire to turn a blind eye and pretend it is not happening and so continue to live in a state of blissful ignorance...and woe betide the messenger of anything and everything that did not allow this situation to continue ad infinitum.
It is true that Hayes balances rather beautifully upon the fence in respect of a great deal of the above and a great deal of the time too because while he is quite forward thinking in many areas he's also back with the Dinosaurs in some others, with this particular ID discussion IMO being a very good example thereof.
Nevertheless I can't pot the guy the forthrightness of his views and I will take his part when anyone lines up on the guy personally. We all see things through our own individual prisms and IMO if we had more people that were as passionate about things as he is then I'd be pretty damned pleased about it let me tell you.
The simple answer to the question that Hayes and others pose as to why the ID needs to undergo some level of change, in this instance a quite substantial level of change, is the same basic answer to question of why the thankfully now defunct NSW Sires Stakes needed to be given the rocket...IT WAS NO LONGER WORKING. The ID Brand was also NO LONGER WORKING.
Perhaps, if I have my understanding of the new/proposed format right, GC races effectively being Heats leading up to a GC/ID Final at Menangle will work a treat, perhaps for reasons unforseen it won't. We'll know in due course & it will not be the end of the world that some are painting the finding out period to be. One thing is for sure, doing nothing & leaving it basically rudderless as it is now...will definitely see us preside over the ID's demise.
I've heard 1000 people says its broke; but I haven't heard one reason why its broke?
The GC/ID final won't work for reasons I listed above; not for reasons unforseen. Plus why should states change when there race is to please the ID (assuming its 'fair' and races are held on same date). And why should IMTQ miss out because he draws 13 over at GP and gets beaten a whisker. Why should say Decorated Jasper avoid the Vics and go to South Australia and get a spot. Or why should Ohoka Nevada be gifted a spot? Or why should Gedlee be given a spot because he won in Tas?????
Why do NZ only get 2 horses in unless they travel to Aust for a heat which is ridiculous. The Kiwi representation is almost always more than 2. They had 4 or 5 in the Sydney one last year.
Or if the state races are on at different times of year what is to say that horse will be racing well come March. Make Mine Cullen was a dead set certainty for the Ladyship Mile and such races but come April she got beaten. Why should some horses like Smoken Up have 6 or 7 chances at winning his way through while others like Make Me Smile only get the 1 chance???
Plus the last couple of spots is chosen by the race club?? Criticising their selections once a year at Miracle Mile time is enough let alone criticising their selections twice a year. Go back to Miracle Mile time and I guarantee one of the main discussions on this forum was who should/who shouldn't be in the race.
NSW had a stand alone Group 1 race over 2 miles. It was called the Ben Hur. Are they missing it????

Hahaha Nat you would be a fair chance I'd say.