In Aust, Caribbean Blaster had 1 standing start in Sept 12 being the Gammalite, starting off 10m......heres the interesting part, in the same race off 30m were Melpark Major and Jaccka Clive
What handicap would ITMQ or SU have got. I'm sure at that stage these horses were not preparing for the Hunter Cup qualifying clause.
these trainers know the rules and regulations. I believe the main reason for smoken up and I'm the mighty quinn not being in the hunter cup is because they'll be off 20 or 30m and they have no chance of winning. They are no Blacks of fake!!!!!
Yeh ya right. The 2 best should be running but they ain't. Going to have lots of interstate visitors with the sale on the day after and just a shame I reckon. That's a really stupid rule (not even a rule!!). We've been (read my son has been) talking him (Smoken Up) up to all and sundry and had a few 'unattached' people said they'd come along for a look to see what all the fuss was about. Not going to happen now. Industry's loss.
At this level of horse I reckon unless they have NOT run in a standing start then the qualifying race could apply, however if a horse has stepped away in a SS race and not galloped, even if it was a year ago, they should be eligible.
Additionally i believe a maximum handicap of maybe 15m should apply to any horse from now on.
The Hunter Cup should have the very best from Oz/NZ in it and OBVIOUSLY these two factors are restricting a great race from attracting the best.
Would be a shame to see this great race reduce its quality over the next few years...
There is 19 horses nominated for the Hunter Cup.......2 are not eligible Smoken Up and Our Better dream (no handicaps issued)
That leaves 17 .......but 18 handicaps issued.......who does not appear in the noms but has a handicap listing on the official HRV media release ????????
Hunter Cup field falling away with the scratchings of Sushi Sushi and Melpark Major.