Could we see Marlborough Cup and Wgtn Cup swap ratings?

[Doomed]

I have just been looking at the fields for the Marlborough Cup and Wgtn Cup this weekend. Wgtn not flash; Rating 86 top weight and only two horses in the field rated higher than 80. 3kg spread top to bottom, which isn't much for a handicap. Marlborough Cup on the other hand, rating 89 top weight, 5 horses rated higher than 80 and a 6 kg spread top to bottom, with a 60kg top weight.

Looks like Marlborough has also contributed an extra $20,000 to their Cup whereas from memory I don't think Wgtn ever add anything to their stakes: might be wrong there of course, hard to access such information.

[Chief Stipe]

12 minutes ago, Doomed said:

I have just been looking at the fields for the Marlborough Cup and Wgtn Cup this weekend. Wgtn not flash; Rating 86 top weight and only two horses in the field rated higher than 80. 3kg spread top to bottom, which isn't much for a handicap. Marlborough Cup on the other hand, rating 89 top weight, 5 horses rated higher than 80 and a 6 kg spread top to bottom, with a 60kg top weight.

Looks like Marlborough has also contributed an extra $20,000 to their Cup whereas from memory I don't think Wgtn ever add anything to their stakes: might be wrong there of course, hard to access such information.

Aside from the fact that the Wellington Cup is run over 3200m and the Marlborough Cup is 2000m....just a minor point.

Isn't it more a reflection on the intelligence of trainers?  Wellington Cup 6th to 10th - $4,500.  Marlborough Cup (at Riccarton!) $900.

To be honest I'm not sure which field is the more pathetic in terms of quality.

[Doomed]

5 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

Aside from the fact that the Wellington Cup is run over 3200m and the Marlborough Cup is 2000m....just a minor point.

Isn't it more a reflection on the intelligence of trainers?  Wellington Cup 6th to 10th - $4,500.  Marlborough Cup (at Riccarton!) $900.

To be honest I'm not sure which field is the more pathetic in terms of quality.

But 3,200m races are being continually down-graded (Auck, Wgtn, NZ in recent years) whereas 2,000m races are the flavour of the month, so your point just supports my idea.

Also worth noting that 3rd prize money in the Wgtn Cup is $27,000 against almost $35,000 to win the Marlborough Cup. More importantly, over a six week period in the SI the Open stayers races are worth $40,000, $40,000, $60,000, $60,000, $40,000 and $50,000. This is the first time that has happened and presents a pretty good reason to stay close to home, and avoid the chance of an abandoned meeting in Wgtn.

[Chief Stipe]

8 minutes ago, Doomed said:

But 3,200m races are being continually down-graded (Auck, Wgtn, NZ in recent years) whereas 2,000m races are the flavour of the month, so your point just supports my idea.

Perhaps you need to explain what your idea of "swapping ratings" actually means.

The Wellington Cup shouldn't be a $300k race - it would attract the same field with half that.  I think there must be some contribution from the WRC because it is above the minimum G3 stake isn't it?

Interesting this race is sponsored by the NZ Campus of Innovation and Sport.  A big investment just down the road from the racecourse.  Perhaps like some recent developments in OZ there is an opportunity for some synergy between WRC and the new facility.  LOL....apply some science to the track!

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/119126481/30m-sports-science-and-training-facility-for-upper-hutts-nzcis-development

[Doomed]

15 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

Perhaps you need to explain what your idea of "swapping ratings" actually means.

The Wellington Cup shouldn't be a $300k race - it would attract the same field with half that.  I think there must be some contribution from the WRC because it is above the minimum G3 stake isn't it?

Interesting this race is sponsored by the NZ Campus of Innovation and Sport.  A big investment just down the road from the racecourse.  Perhaps like some recent developments in OZ there is an opportunity for some synergy between WRC and the new facility.  LOL....apply some science to the track!

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/119126481/30m-sports-science-and-training-facility-for-upper-hutts-nzcis-development

I did mean that since the Marlborough Cup has the better field ratings wise then perhaps it should have the group status.

It is hard to find funding information and the policy for this season hasn't been published yet, but we are only half way through. Last season when the Wgtn Cup was worth $250,000 the club put in $50,000. The rest came from "Icon Race Funding" from NZTR. Not sure where this year's extra $50,000 came from, at least $10,000 from increased group 3 funding.

[Chief Stipe]

1 minute ago, Doomed said:

I did mean that since the Marlborough Cup has the better field ratings wise then perhaps it should have the group status.

We both know how it works.  The Wellington Cup will struggle to hold onto its Grp 3 status.

[nomates]

Just seen the field for the " Cup ", could have saved themselves 250k and called it the " Wellington Hack Cup " for 50k , how far the mighty have fallen . It's embarrassing even calling that field a cup field . 

That's the NZ cup and now the Wellington cup that have had sub standard fields for the prestige races , wonder how Auckland is going to fair .

Both races should be down graded after this season .

[Shad]

Been hack races for some years in my opinion. 

[Doomed]

Off on a slight tangent, but I notice the first pick on the TAB site is Mondorani. The form line says ran on well last week. That is absolute rubbish, didn't run on at all in a much weaker field, albeit with more weight. If it wins that will be a form reversal just like Waisake's last win. Not a good look for racing for anyone who relies on revealed form.