Graeme Hawkins

Mac Wrote:

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> avanza Wrote:
>

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>

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> > I think that if a horse makes the July then it
> > should be at least a three time winner. I know
> > that sounds uneducated but there is a standard
> to
> > be maintained!!!! It is the July after all.
> Holy
> > cow.
> > What are we going to do next? Run the July at
> > flamingo park???
> >
> > Thumbs down to maiden plate winners making a
> > prestigious race like the July.
> > Its a load of blimming rubbish.
>
>
> A graduation plate win is sufficiently predtigious
> to qualify for the July?

The only sensible part of Avanza's statement is "I know it sounds uneducated". Look up a horse called Lamtarra's career record - maiden followed by the three most prestigous races in Europe, The Derby, The King George and the Arc, then retired, when will people realise this "(number) time winner" nonsense was relevant to a system that went out here about 20 years ago!

Let me explain further ... ignoring cheap sideswipes....
The July is a grand race that should be preserved for those that have proven themselves by ABILITY and CONSISTENCY.
Not donkeys that has one or two good, out of form, lucky runs.

We have all witnessed the hype that can surround a horse and it never quite makes the grade? Well... same thing with the July. You prove your ability before you get a ticket....and only special three year olds...

Any champion race horse I have known is always competitive and consistent. We would like the July history to read of past champions. Not 'one season' wonders.

I think the exporting of racehorses leads to these weak July's. Any horse with decent ability is shipped out. You can't blame them either.

What is amazing is the attitude of some.You guys have so much more then others.Is it not time to include decency to another human being to your impressive resume of assets.Come down a bit and start embracing values that matter.Dont look for people or avenues to vent your frustration.You guys never look over the wall.If u feel so done by sell up and do whats nescessary.But dont think racing will end because of you.There are plenty good guys out there that will carry the baton.

I would like to add that IMO
GH has forgotten more about horse racing than the majority will ever learn and look forward to his feedback on "winning ways"?
I am also not very excited with the July field but this topic gets battered every year and can't see the trend improving as our export protocol improves.

Just as we are often reminded that the UK tracks allow for horses to run more often than in SA we must also remember that SA trainers are not UK trainers or horses like DREAMBYTHEMASTER would get into the July after a Maiden win- We all know what happened to him in his next start. Let the best meet the best rather than guessing what could possibly happen and rely on the handicappers rather than your own judgment(or fire them if they don't know what they are doing- I think they do know a great deal more than most people think they do)

There appears to be a common thread that exists with controversial matters-they are subjective!!
If racing wishes to be better understood and accepted,subjective interpretations need to be replaced with objective rulings wherever possible-this thread would have a different tone if the ratings were used and clear to all.......objections is another example where clear rules would placate punters!

rob faux Wrote:

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> There appears to be a common thread that exists
> with controversial matters-they are subjective!!
> If racing wishes to be better understood and
> accepted,subjective interpretations need to be
> replaced with objective rulings wherever
> possible-this thread would have a different tone
> if the ratings were used and clear to
> all.......objections is another example where
> clear rules would placate punters!

Precisely!!!well said.
Integrity and trust benefits the industry. Have a rule book, stick to the rule book and remain transparent. Thereby a broader participation is encouraged.
No one person or interest group 'owns the industry'. This is not the SA government.

avanza Wrote:

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> Let me explain further ... ignoring cheap
> sideswipes....
> The July is a grand race that should be preserved
> for those that have proven themselves by ABILITY
> and CONSISTENCY.
> Not donkeys that has one or two good, out of form,
> lucky runs.
>
> We have all witnessed the hype that can surround a
> horse and it never quite makes the grade? Well...
> same thing with the July. You prove your ability
> before you get a ticket....and only special three
> year olds...
>
> Any champion race horse I have known is always
> competitive and consistent. We would like the July
> history to read of past champions. Not 'one
> season' wonders.
>
> I think the exporting of racehorses leads to these
> weak July's. Any horse with decent ability is
> shipped out. You can't blame them either.

Ok, apologies for sideswipe late at night, but unfortunately there aren't may of the types you ask for around.

I also recall that with the old race figure system horses that used to be good but were now tripping over their beards and past it would often get in at he expense of up and coming sorts with potential.

In fact in 1980 Cracker Lily, if I'm not mistaken, was the ante-post favourite, but after being beaten into 2nd by Anytime Baby in the 1900 he was left out, while many horses that finished behind him in the 1900 got in.

mr hawaii Wrote:

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> The solution is a log - Top 20 get in - Earn your
> MR by racing in Graded company - No qualifying
> from winning any race


Now why is that so difficult to implement ? I would just amend it slightly to state 'Earn your MR over suitable trips (or do we want What a Winter in the July) - no qualifying races'

Frodo Wrote:

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> mr hawaii Wrote:
>

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>

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> > The solution is a log - Top 20 get in - Earn
> your
> > MR by racing in Graded company - No qualifying
> > from winning any race
>
>
> Now why is that so difficult to implement ? I
> would just amend it slightly to state 'Earn your
> MR over suitable trips (or do we want What a
> Winter in the July) - no qualifying races'

I wanted to add that

Frodo Wrote:
-'Earn your > MR over suitable trips (or do we want What a
> Winter in the July) - no qualifying races'.

What is wrong with What A Winter running in the July? What is a suitable trip? This is the very thing we don't want - subjectivity.
But as sprinters have higher MR's than stayers the sprinters' MR's could be reduced proportional to the distance they earned the MR.

Mac Wrote:

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> Frodo Wrote:
> -'Earn your > MR over suitable trips (or do we
> want What a
> > Winter in the July) - no qualifying races'.
>
> What is wrong with What A Winter running in the
> July? What is a suitable trip? This is the very
> thing we don't want - subjectivity.
> But as sprinters have higher MR's than stayers the
> sprinters' MR's could be reduced proportional to
> the distance they earned the MR - for managing the July log that is.