Below-par Group One's

[harry_hawka]

It's time for Australian Racing to re-categorise its Group races.

For example, the Chipping Norton on the weekend has long been a sub-standard field but yet still gets 'Group One' status. It's a joke. For the sake of statistics, Tie The Knot's 4 wins in the Chipping Norton look better than Kingston Town's 3 Cox Plate's. There's got to be the implementation of a new system, that maybe rates the ten best Australian races for the year in a Group One Gold category, then maybe the next 5 or so in a Group One SIlver category, and the rest in a Group One bronze. Furthermore, statistics should be brought out to rate past horses in their rightful categories according to the 'correct' rating of their race wins. Tie The Knot's Group One record wouldn't be so rosey if that happened.

Just a thought.

P.s. What would you rank as Australia's 10 best races for the year, if you were to judge what goes into a Group One Gold category?? (Bearing in mind to input some sprint, some middle distance and some 2-mile races etc.)

 

[Davo75]

Good Post Hawka!!!

Although find it difficult to agree with you saying that Tie the Knots 4 Chipping Nortons looks better than Kingston Towns 3 Cox Plates, thats just not true!!!!

Your idea has merit but I think people who know the racing game and appreciate the "Great Champions" of the track would have their races of higher prestige and those not so!!!!

Off the top of my head I came up with Races I would include in the Top echelon but these would are ones with the highest prizemoney hence get more of a mention in the media. Any I have left out some I would consider better races but without the hype you could say!!!

Definites:

The Cox Plate
The Melbourne Cup
The Caulfield Cup
The Golden Slipper
The Doncaster
The Victorian Derby
The AJC Derby

Possibles:

The Newmarket
The Australian Cup
The Galaxy
The Stradbroke
The Mercedes Classic
The Blue Diamond
The Caulfield Guineas


Many other races are bloody good Group 1's yet dont offer the prizemoney the ones I have included do!

http://www.austgl.racingvictoria.net.au/search.htm

Lists all Group 1, 2, 3 and Listed Races in Australia!!!!

Was wondering if anyone could pass on some good websites to refer to for Horse Racing in Australia!!!

I have found plenty but always looking for more!!!!!!

 

[harry_hawka]

Originally posted by Davo75
Good Post Hawka!!!

Although find it difficult to agree with you saying that Tie the Knots 4 Chipping Nortons looks better than Kingston Towns 3 Cox Plates, thats just not true!!!!

Your idea has merit but I think people who know the racing game and appreciate the "Great Champions" of the track would have their races of higher prestige and those not so!!!!

There is no doubt that Kingston Town's cox plates are far better than Tie The Knot's record.. but I was just saying that STATISTICALLY it shows that Tie The Knot won an extra Group One. And also, Its clear that everyone already knows who the top horses are, but if the statistics books showed that aswell I'm sure we could get a better look at who have been the very best horses throughout history.

I agree with your top eschellon races, but would have to throw The Oaks in there somewhere, and would probably put The Newmarket into the very top eschellon, just to give the sprinters a Group One Gold race!

 

[Deej]

Originally posted by Davo75
Definites:

The Cox Plate
The Melbourne Cup
The Caulfield Cup
The Golden Slipper
The Doncaster
The Victorian Derby
The AJC Derby

Possibles:

The Newmarket
The Australian Cup
The Galaxy
The Stradbroke
The Mercedes Classic
The Blue Diamond
The Caulfield Guineas

I'd put the Caulfield Guineas, Epsom and Newmarket in as definites, and take out the Vic Derby. Australia doesn't have many world class middle distance horses or races thanks to our sprint at all costs breeding industry.

 

[harry_hawka]

Originally posted by Deej
I'd put the Caulfield Guineas, Epsom and Newmarket in as definites, and take out the Vic Derby. Australia doesn't have many world class middle distance horses or races thanks to our sprint at all costs breeding industry.

Yeah I agree.. even horses that start out as potential middle distance champions, often end up running shorter distances and end up in sprint races. Bel Esprit is a perfect example..

How come you wouldn't put the Vic Derby in the top eschelon Deej?? I'd have thought it's the 5th biggest race on the calendar behind The Melbourne Cup, Cox Plate, Caulfield Cup and Golden Slipper.