So, in your opinion, the standing start requirements take precedence over the automatic qualification for winning the Shepp Cup?
I'm with Brad on this one. He stepped fine then was inconvenienced by I'm Corzin Terror who was galloping.
Seriously guys, ICT didn't do squat for TGA to gallop. In fact, ICT slightly shifted and galloped compared to the galloping action of TGA. Again, you don't think the HRV Stewards made the original decision carefully before reaching the conclusion that he was a non runner? HRV simply bent the rules, nothing more! So to answer your question, of course it takes precedence. He keeps the win but not the start for the Hunter cup.
So why the ODS? Put him back in the draw.
the auto entry is for a horse who wins a lead up race but may not otherwise have gained a start, eg Wartime Sweetheart probably not in best field nommed for Vic Cup but got in based on winning lead up. So it gives Gold Ace an exception from ballot (not that he needed it) but he still needs to qualify for the ballot before he can be excepted from it. To qualify for ballot would involve starting the race properly.Originally Posted by The Escape Club
Reading that link to last years decision..
Read this bit
"This condition was recommended by an Industry Consultative Group (the Strategic Planning Advisory Group consisting of representatives from Industry Stakeholder Groups) to HRV and was approved by the HRV Board in 2007 following a number of Hunter Cups where horses with little or no standing start experience in the previous 12 months had begun badly in the race and caused severe interference to other runners at the start of the event. "
Before Gold Ace galloped at start of Shepparton Cup his previous two stand starts;
13/11/2012 NZ Cup - Galloped first 100m
One before that 2/11/2012. Took out Auckland Reactor at start. Auckland Reactor lost all chance.
Gold Ace finished 2nd. Relegated to 9th due to severe interference caused another runner.
http://www.harness.org.au/news-article.cfm?news_id=6610
Have HRV applied the rules as they were intended, to limit the the potential for interference at the start?
The way the Gold Ace started at Shep the potential for interference was definitely there imho.
Let's not forget that TGA is considered an unruly standing start horse, in NZ, the last 12 months anyway.. One of my earlier posts. He stuffed it up more than once in NZ as Paul mentions, and if you look at the replay very carefully, the reason he galloped is because of the momentum he had going, not ICT. It even seems that Luke did hardly nothing to try get him back pacing, he was galloping quickly and made unfair ground. That is the way i see it, only an opinion.
Lance's thoughts..
I can only say if smoken up turned his head while trying to miss gallopers he would be out ......no doubt
Rules for one and rules for the others
Wouldn't consider changes last year re hunter cup
I have to agree with Lance 100%
There is definately no favours expected from HRV Head Office with regards to Smoken Up, cast you mind back to the past Horse of the Year award comments by the CEO http://www.harnesslink.com/News/CEO-...ewpoint-102084
Why oh why am I continuing to be part of this debate is beyond me...however, if an animal has fulfilled the conditions as required to, what more does the horse have to do? Solemnly swear with hoof on bible that "I will do everything within my power to make sure I do not skip, jump, fart or gallop when the tapes release. If I do step away as required then I will, to avoid any embarrassment to my driver, ensure I drive straight up the back of the horse in front of me, even when it is taking my rightful running. I will do my damnedness not to break into a full stretched gallop if my driver takes the common sense approach of avoiding aforementioned horse"
The horse has got a list of convictions a mile long. The horse didn't write the conditions that had to be fulfilled, HRV did. Take it up with them. THEIR STEWARDS DEEMED THE HORSE GALLOPED AFTER THE START, NOT AT THE START. This isn't a court of inquiry here, its a bunch of opinions being expressed earnestly by forum contributors, nothing more. Going over the same territory doesn't change what has occurred. Anyone here seen the camera angle down the back at the start of the Shep Cup? Doubt it, nor have I? I will take the word of the Chief Steward.
Now when the conditions of the Cup were drawn up back in 2007, the committee was doing the right thing in protecting the interests of other starters...they put the Clauses in it that still apply today. Let them review the conditions AFTER this cup if they deem it needs to be changed, because obviously there are a shitload of people who think it should be.
Smoken, if that is what Lance said so be it, but it wasn't HRVs fault his champ wasn't left out of the cup last year...and I was one that thought he should have been there, but his horse had not met the criteria. Tough potatoes!
Finally horses are not machines, they are not foolproof or bombproof or can offer no guarantees. They surely cannot be penalised for doing something they may or may not do in the future. There is an existing system in place that deals with actualities. Its called "back to the trials" And BTW, can anyone tell me the last time they saw SmokenUp break into a full gallop?
No one has an issue with any horse Brad. They are not accountable for there actions, people are accountable for there actions for many reasons. That is what separates us from animals. Our morality, ethics etc etc.
It still does not change the fact one bit, that HRV bent the rules, and I agree they can. That doesn't make it right now does it...
Trigger galloped hopelessly @ 2012 Interdominion in Perth.
Geez Paul, top investigative work
That is pathetic!!! And they call themselves professionals.. Pfffft!
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