Trainer M ROBIN

Mr H

Imo 78/76 much too high; there are quite a few multiple winners campaigning at the moment off ratings of roundabout 60; so this would mean that your one time winner would have to give those between 8 and 9 kg's!

All that is needed is for the 'experts' to rate the horses properly; there will always be exceptional maiden winners deserving a rating of 75 or higher, but in general I believe the correct mark for most should be in the region of 65.

Just my opinion.

As an after thought Mr H.

How about one time winners getting an 'MR Allowance' of say 6pts (3KG's) Vs multi-winners, which would a) increase the competitiveness of said one timers b) increase the chances of them winning, which in term would mean c) greater chance of becoming a multi-winner and an opportunity to have your bills covered for a minimum of a year!

By incoroprated said idea - I believe more Horses will be purchased and maintained as the bills will be paid for 12 - 18mths dependant on Trainer and region.

Respectfully, Jim

yes frodo but with the weight allowance for three year olds it may help but i think we agree that the total assesment is incorrect for all ages - some poor things like that horse Blue Murder suffer badly while others seem to slip through and never get stopped - i liked the old hadicapping system far better but something has to be done or you are better off not racing your horse until it's a mid three year old andv waste all that keep and the chance of running in three-year-old features if it has any ablity - any other suggestions cause i'm stumped

to add frodo if the horse runs it's first start out of the maidens and is trounced by a 60 then the 60 either goes up and the other drops automatically (3-6 points) until he earns that rating again

Not to labour the point, but I think in theory I much prefer the MR system to the old RF system, but the handicappers need to do a better job in rating the horses - and opinions will often differ, so do we have enough capable people assessing the performances and calculating the ratings? If not, why not?

How about a maiden running an 'avg' time for the age/distance = 60MR - and a MR70 if running Avg for winners over the same trip?

With an absolute maximum of MR75 if running within 2 lenghts or less of fastest time of year.

Because as we know just because a maiden runs a good race - it doesn't automatically translate against winners, as the class is higher and won't get such an 'easy' time of it in regard of quality around = pace, pressure and stamina.

Mr H I think that the basis for a 're-jig' of said MR for Maidens - especially youngsters - is there, allwe need now is the 'political' will to carry it out.

If done, I'm sure it will only improve the competitive nature of racing and thereby increase the 'fairness' of racing for one and all.

Respectfully, Jim.

the problem i think is that maybe handicappers don't realise that the owners have to bear the cost of unfair ratings (racing down) and they are far too keen to over rate than under rate new horses incase they get called on it when the horse goes on to win five in a row - funny how older horses with limited ability- with all due respect to the owners (James Maree has one) are winning two and three on the trot lately while the three year olds are getting carrots unless they are above average

Jim times are subjective (pace time of year etc) - some of the times look out of sorts to me so very difficult to use as a yardstick - handicappers have a very difficult job i'm sure but maybe we need to find some new guidelines for them to work from so that all horses have a fair chance in a race which is what we all yearn for

So if it affects the owners, shouldn't the RA get involved? At least then I can say that they are doing something for me (and I might reconsider renewing my membership)

i'll be sure to bring it up with Larry et al - not sure they may already be doing something about it

Good, looking forward to a reply

Mr H although I take your point - nonetheless we have going readings and so comparing apples w/apples is quite possible.

In additon there are videos available of every race = questions of style of race - pace etc. can also be compared and thereby get a much 'fairer' picture of class/MR if, as i say, the 'political' will is there.

Respectfully Jim.