so this week they have a total of 3 2 year old races at the 5 meetings with fields out.
Field sizes 1x10 and 2x12.
The reason for the bigger fields is i guess because they didn't have either enough colts/geldings, or fillies to split the races and run one race on the programme for colts and another for fillies. In other words to allow them all to get a start they have combined them.
Well,even though HRNZ have been forced to run them this week against their will that way,doesn't it make obvious sense they should be running them like that most of the time anyway? In other words everyone gets a start,less stakes paid,larger betting pools.Better for the industries stressed balance sheet .
what i think is an obvious cause for concern is just how small the number of two year olds that are racing this week. The combined number of pacers and trotters across all 5 meetings would only be in the 40"s. Remember,a 2 year old now would have been 3 under the old season calendar just a couple of years ago.i believe Its an indication of the lack of numbers that will flow through in years to come.
The draw a number out of a hat approach, by the stipes continues for these so called scratching penalties.
lets be honest,the inconsistent application of the penalties rule is just a farce.
Its almost certain that every trainer nominating their horses is doing so online.
So trainers aren't being contacted by the clubs and being asked to keep their non win horse in the fields because the club wants a field of 13 instead of 12.if that does happen i assume they are the ones that get no penalty for scratching.(exceptional circumstances that you see in the stipes reports)
In other words ,trainers are knowingly nominating their horses with little intention of starting,often thinking i'll see whats in that field and then compare it to this other field thats running say 3 days later and see where they draw and so on.
take this week in the south island,we had 1,1 day penalty,1, 2 day penalty,2, 4 day penalties and 13 5 day penalties. All for the exact same thing.The 5 day penalty is what the rules says should happen.
so,ask yourself this,why.
well the answer is the system is a joke open to manipulation. Manipulation enabled by the stipes.
Personally i couldn't care less whether there is a scratching penalty or not,but you can't ignore some people are getting preferential treatment,so why shouldn't others get the same treatment.
A fairer rule change was proposed not that long ago,yet its just another one of those things that the people in charge at hrnz chose to ignore.
It may not be seen as a big deal,but to me indicates a symptom of poor leadership.
I've found this interdom series a good watch.
All the racing has been very competitive,perhaps because it started out with no really dominant horses and the 3 different tracks.
don hugo's price of $2.60 seems quite generous to me.
by the end of the third nights racing he seems to have 2 to 3 lengths over his nearest rival and he has the ideal draw.
Luke mccarthy is the best in australasia for working his way to the front without burning early,then dominating and he seems perfectly drawn at 3.
I would imagine my moonlite dream will cross and lead and mccarthy doing enough to not allow any others of those wider to cross him,then it would just be a matter of either the 2 horse(dangerous) pressing on to lead if it holds up early, which may be debateable,and then don hugo takes over or don hugo gets there first. That seems the most likely scenario to me and on last weeks form they most likely can't catch him.
the same with the trotting final,the locomotive($1.55) just seems too good for the others and should work its way to the front and just win as well.Queen elida's only chance would be to burn to the front,but if she did that you would think its winning chances are gone and if it goes back you would think it couldn't win either.Maybe it runs 3rd or 4th at best.