Graeme Hawkins

Did trainers and jockeys snub the july show tonight?no disrespect to justin and sheldon but it would have been a better show with the likes of garth puller,muis,kevin shea etc

So maybe I am a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to the July but I am entitled to my opinion and i think this is a sub-standard field for the biggest race of the year.

If the MR system is what we use now and i am stuck in the 90's then why does the betting tell a totally different story? CPT Noir 2nd fav(6 time winner), was beaten by No Worries (2 time winner) last start and No Worries is 16th in the betting.......... If a horse only needs to win one race then why are you guys or all in the know not getting stuck into No Worries???????

Enough for me, Garden Province will be the best race on the day.

TS, the betting has been proved wrong many times in the past, and will undoubtedly be proved wrong many times in the future; imo the betiing should never be an indication on who belongs in the field and who does not - and for the record I can't see why CTN should finish in front of NW this time.

In the same way, the number of wins should not be a deciding factor on who gets in and who does not, who gets in should be decided by 'racing class' and that should be reflected (in a perfect world where there are no 'capping' of ratings) by MR. So imo, get rid of these ridiculous 'capping rules', so that a horse's true ability is reflected in his MR - then select the field accordingly.

The only 'problem' then is distance suitability, and Mac's argument that nothing should stop a great sprinter from competing in the July - and I do agree that having subjective 'rules' abt distance suitability could be asking for more trouble - but hopefully the connections of geat sprinters will have enough common sense not to enter. Not sure how it would be decided whether a sprinter with a MR of 110, or a horse that is distance suited with a MR of 100 should get in? My 'feel' is that I'd rather have the latter? But then what about a horse which is doubtful to get the trip rated 110 against a horse that is sure to get the trip at say 105?

Frodo, i totally agree with you, but the powers that be make this a subjective matter. I am not trying to prove any point with regard to how many wins a horse should have, it is just my opinion....

Just a year where we have a field that is just not exciting...

FC Wrote:

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> Hawkins is leading the panel discussion on the VDJ
> on Sunday...maybe he will give some insight.


I missed the panel discussion last night. Were any explanations given regarding the included and excluded horses?

shrek Wrote:

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> FC Wrote:
>

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>

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> > Hawkins is leading the panel discussion on the
> VDJ
> > on Sunday...maybe he will give some insight.
>
>
> I missed the panel discussion last night. Were any
> explanations given regarding the included and
> excluded horses?
No maybe tonight on WW.

FC Wrote:

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> shrek Wrote:
>

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>

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> > FC Wrote:
> >
>

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>
> >

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> > > Hawkins is leading the panel discussion on
> the
> > VDJ
> > > on Sunday...maybe he will give some insight.
> >
> >
> > I missed the panel discussion last night. Were
> any
> > explanations given regarding the included and
> > excluded horses?
> No maybe tonight on WW.


Thanks FC. (tu)

gregbucks Wrote:

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> They lucky Full Combat isn't running else it would
> of been the second 2 year old to win a July...


This is the best bet on the July card. This horse is very smart.

Now that you mentioned Newmarket.....If I remember correctly Newmarket was sold for about R20million... a year or two after the night racing lights were installed at a cost of (corect me if im wrong) about R40 million..... and I doubted that these lights were used for Turffontein, or the money spend on living quarters for grooms.....

800 square meter land were selling for a million bucks at the time in Meyersdal, close to Newmarket......

I live next to Newmarket....it is nothing but a "veltjie" now.....exept for a new Makro just open, the buildings look like a SPOOK TOWN.....

What about GOSFORTHPARK?

again top comment from louisg ....

IMO wins/places in group one company in the current season should be the deciding criteria for the July....

keniza999 Wrote:

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> again top comment from louisg ....
>
> IMO wins/places in group one company in the
> current season should be the deciding criteria for
> the July....


Should be the ONLY criteria !!!!

gg Wrote:

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> keniza999 Wrote:
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>

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> > again top comment from louisg ....
> >
> > IMO wins/places in group one company in the
> > current season should be the deciding criteria
> for
> > the July....
>
>
> Should be the ONLY criteria !!!!

So a 6-length beaten 2nd placed runner in a Gr1 should be a deciding criteria ???