Two new feature races at big T.

Two new feature races introduced at Turffontein

THE Joint Programming Committee of Phumelela and the Racing Association is delighted to announce the introduction of two new feature races to the racing calendar.

The races will be run on the Turffontein Inside Track on Saturday 10 October. They are:

- The R200 000 Joburg Spring Challenge (Listed) over 1450m
- The R150 000 Joburg Spring Fillies & Mares Challenge (Listed) over 1450m

Both races will be run at weight-for-age with three-year-olds to carry 52.5kg, four-year-olds 60kg and five-year-olds and older 60.5kg. In the Spring Challenge, fillies and mares will receive a 2.5kg sex allowance.

The two races replace the Hyperion Handicap and Renounce Stakes with the aim being to create an opportunity to assess the strength of the three-year-olds relative to their elders early in the season - in similar vein to the old John Skeaping Trophy on the Highveld and the Matchem Stakes and Diana Stakes in the Cape.

Stakes for both races have been set at Grade 3 levels in anticipation of them being promoted from Listed to Grade 3 status in 2010.

The Falcon Sprint (Listed) and Goldfields Sprint (Fillies, Listed) over 1200m for three-year-olds will remain as the supporting features at the 10 October fixture this year. But from 2010, it is planned that these races will fall away as Listed events and be replaced by conditions races for three-year-olds over 1200m. These events will provide alternatives for trainers of three-year-olds who are unlikely to stay beyond sprint distances.

Hmm plenty of ticks in the correct boxes!!!

Once again putting the cart before the horse; agree with AB; rather fix up the program to cater for the unraced 3 yr olds first.

2 new features sounds good but later it says they replace the 2 old features which will disappear ? With distance at 1450m they will undoubtedly race on the inside track with the restrictions on the number of horses that can run.

I agree, we need to get the maidens through to the next level. It would not be far off the mark to say it is easier to win a MR as a one time winner, or even get a run for that matter, than to win or even get a run in a maiden.

Isn't it time we reviewed the MR system. The old system where horses graduated from maidens to novices and graduations worked better for me than the current programme.

Why not race your maiden in MR races then ? It happens in UK and elsewhere.

Let me give you an answer on that Shikar. In principle you can nominate a maiden for a merit rated race but this is usually a waste of time as firstly the horse needs to have a merit rating ( so no unraced horses), secondly you will be taking on previous winners with higher ratings so you will likley be eliminated and thirdly the old adage is that you keep the best company and race your horses in the worst company possible.

Will the volcano get in?

Thanks Gajima, But I have seen many a MR races that can be targeted by maidens with ratings, and I'm sure if not winning, will certainly earn ...

Shikar, apart from first timers, I think it's something to consider, not sure what the rules are in terms of eliminations; however I would think that a winner with a MR of 50 would get preference to a maiden with a MR of 60 in a MR handicap?

hibernia Wrote:

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> Will the volcano get in?



I doubt it. Especially from the obligatory bad draw.

www.racingassociation.co.za/show_video.php?rid=3844

Nice offer AB but I must turn it down as you will steal the price.

"The two races replace the Hyperion Handicap and Renounce Stakes with the aim being to create an opportunity to assess the strength of the three-year-olds relative to their elders early in the season " Save owners a bomb as you may not have to wait months to realise your horse is actually a 78 when it is rated a 92 on an early juv win