Originally Posted by
Showgrounds
Alternatively, it shows how out of whack the handicapping system is in NZ that you can have a horse like Spankem, who has only won 6 lifetime races, as an open class horse (rating R91). Horses like him have to come to Australia just to get a chance of winning. He has paid the price for being a good 2 year old (4 wins, 6 placings from 10 starts and $186K). No wins from 5 starts at 3 and 2 wins this season.
I'm trying to keep an open mind about the proposed handicapping system based on ratings. You would have to ask an NZ'r for an honest opinion of how its working there. Lack of 4 year old racing does not help their horses. Elle Mac, for example, is a seriously good 4 year old mare but had only raced against her own sex as a 2 and 3 year old. She had to start her 4 year old season as a rating R95 - against males. Two wins later, she is a R104. Little wonder her next race start will be in Australia. Against mares and possibly many of her own age.
Spankem a special in the C3 at Ballarat based on that.