WA Pacing Cup - 11/01/2013

[Toohard]

Two races over here in a week worth $ 650,000 (big money in anyone's language) and your lot haven't the guts to face up to ITMQ on his home track as G Hall jnr said.

Not having the guts to face up to him?

Trying to compare ITMQ and Smoken Up not easy. Different racing styles, different types tracks they have to race on, etc. But if you are going to start talking about 'not having the guts' here's a way of doing it.

1. Watch the replay of the 2012 Vic Cup. ITMQ sat behind the leader whole way. Got out in plenty of time. Caribbean Blaster 3 wide most of the way, wider round last bend.

Watch closely what happens when Caribbean Blaster gets his head in front of ITMQ.

2. Now watch the replay of the 2013 SA Cup. Smoken Up in front running along. Caribbean Blaster 2 wide serving it up to him.

Watch closely what happens when Caribbean Blaster gets his head in front of Smoken Up.

See the difference?

One of them surrenders and gives in, the other ones Smoken Up.

[little fish]

Nice post Barry, so true that "The issue here is that some people won't hear anyone not lauding him as the greatest in the land"
And, "He has nothing to prove unless you want to be calling him the best in the land - Just my opinion!"
And everyone is entitled to their opinion, again like I conversed with Aussiebrenno once where I said its a bit like we have footy teams we are passionate about, we also can have horses we are passionate about, but sometimes like footy, people can be a bit too one eyed and defensive of their champ, to a point where they overrate them a little too much.

I think that's very close to how it is, like one-eyed footy supporters.

Not sure how many of you have lived in Perth - it is an awesome place but also a real fishbowl and they can tend to really pump the tyres up on their footy teams (and horses) to bursting point. Not hard to understand why/how given it's the most isolated city in the world.

Good case in point was Lance jokingly suggesting the great pretender as ITMQ's entrance song - and the over the top defensiveness back from the eagles boys. All a bit of fun but not quite as friendly from the west if you know what I mean.

[little fish]

the prez of Gloucester Park is one time Newcastle Secretary Manager John Burt and I reckon he'll be pretty happy actually, the race looks a near certainty for ITMQ and the people love a winner!!

Each to their own but isn't the 650k there to attract the eastern staters and NZers over?

They could've cut a zero off both races and got the same fields.

[Danno]

Each to their own but isn't the 650k there to attract the eastern staters and NZers over?

They could've cut a zero off both races and got the same fields.

Yes Barry from their point of view I reckon you are on the money, it (the no show from east state horses) probably has something to do with the perception of invincibiltiy of ITMQ around Gloucester Park ? or does anyone know if transport become awkward/unavailable.?

[Mighty Atom]

Ash can you explain how an improvement in the track, that is a larger track in this case, equates to an improvement in the breed? Surely an improvement in the breed can only be determined if all other things remain equal, that is track, gig, feed, medication, training regime etc.

How does a sub 1:50 mark for an unfashionably bred gelding on a "dustbowl" mile track outweigh for the future advancement of the industry that same unfashionably bred gelding's outstanding performance to win 4 SA cups (along with many other feature races) on a half mile track does?

Spot on Dot.

[dizzy]

Each to their own but isn't the 650k there to attract the eastern staters and NZers over?

They could've cut a zero off both races and got the same fields.

The answer would be apparently not to attracting the eastern states. The rigours of travel has been cited by both sides for travel in each direction and legitamately so. What hasn't been mentioned is that its highly likely that the stables on both sides of the country with top class horses are likely to be running bigger stables/businesses then in the past. Frequently its not about just one horse in the stable now, when it was then travelling and staying interstate was easier.

You are right Barry they could have cut the money for the same field and I'm sure they are dissapointed that there are no interstate horses, but what would have been the biggest blow to their marketing would have been ITMQ ending his winning streak at GP the week before. Dan's right, people love a winner and being able to promote ITMQ's winning streak along with big money races was an opportunity lost.

[Maorisidol]

Spot on Dot.

Rodney, u obviously didn't read my reply to Dot from that post of hers, my post was number 26, go have a look...

[Mighty Atom]

Field for Fremantle Cup - 11 of the 12 horses are the same - seriously if I were an owner of ITMQ I'd be pissing myself laughing at this.
And if I were the prez of Gloucester Park I'd be shattered about it.

Yes Barry the same twelve horses but no different from any major G1 race over east, you can virtually guess the field albeit a lot stronger than the Freo Cup. That's what the $650 is for, not only to encourage owners to improve
the quality of racing but to invite eastern state pacers over to make it a true G1 event but I suggest even if it was a million bucks it would be no show very much like the last Inters which attracted about 5 interstate pacers. Unless there is a genuine problem with flight arrangements and in this day and age it's inexcusable that this situation is not much better than back in the eighties ( this is why many WA pacers virtually stayed in the east for extended periods of time), then there is no excuse for not turning up for two Grand Circuit races. With regards to ITMQ dominating over here there is this underlying fear by some in the east that the horse remaining sound could surpass the champ Blacks a Fake's stake earnings to become the world's greatest stakes winning pacer - perish the thought.

[mary]

Quinn draws 8, inside of back row.
Dasher draws the pole.



The barrier draw for the $250,000 Yes Loans Fremantle Cup is:
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1. <!--[endif]-->DASHER VC
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2. <!--[endif]-->LIVINGONTHEINTEREST
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3. <!--[endif]-->LOMBO NAVIGATOR
<!--[if !supportLists]-->4. <!--[endif]-->MYSTA MAGICAL MACH
5. CAN RETURN FIRE
<!--[if !supportLists]-->6. <!--[endif]-->UPPY SON
<!--[if !supportLists]-->7. <!--[endif]-->CROMBIE
2nd Line

8. <!--[endif]-->IM THEMIGHTYQUINN
<!--[if !supportLists]-->9. <!--[endif]-->HOKONUI BEN
<!--[if !supportLists]-->10. <!--[endif]-->SNEAKYN DOWN UNDER
<!--[if !supportLists]-->11. FRANCO RENEGADE
<!--[if !supportLists]-->12. <!--[endif]-->RUSSLEY RASCAL

1. SON OF FERGIE –1ST EMERGENCY
2. BAKERANDTHEFATMAN – 2ND EMERGENCY

[mary]

With regards to ITMQ dominating over here there is this underlying fear by some in the east that the horse remaining sound could surpass the champ Blacks a Fake's stake earnings to become the world's greatest stakes winning pacer - perish the thought.
with ITMQ and I am jumping ahead here, in the back of the minds of some in the east there is a tremendous fear that he may end surpassing Blacks a Fake's stakes tally to become the world's highest stake winner - dread the thought.


One things for sure if he does hes getting it easy isn't he. No disrespect to the other horses in WA but they are running for 2nd.