Yet when they created this new race, didn't VRC think it would impact the Cup itself? Yes, the Cup has three times the winning prize money but it isn't always all about the money. It simply creates a niche race for 2000m or 2400m types and will in time devalue the Cup. 

As a quick tally up The Champion Stakes earnings for the field are in the range of $55 million - possibly an Australasian record ???  The Champion Stakes actually looks similar, again as a quick add up, so either one may be the largest assembly of stakes earners ..

This week I had a yearling colt for sale at Goffs Ireland. The day had 120 yearling lots on offer, of which 10 were withdrawn; 28 not sold or bought back by vendor; 27 sold for Euro 2,000 or less; 55 sold for greater than Euro 2,000. 11 lots made Euro 20,000 or greater.   I bought back my yearling colt. The bid before I bid to buy him back was about 30% of the stallion fee paid to produce him. That stallion is not too long at stud, has had fee increases, and produced a Group 1 winner.. I paid boarding fees of about one year for the mare from conception to foaling, and one year boarding for the yearling from weaning to sales time. On top of that there was just under Euro 500 auction fee, and also sales preparation charges by the boarding stud.   My yearling got seven views by potential buyers from 10:00 to about 18:00. I spent eight hours on site (I thought the sales yearling sale started at 10:00, but a horses in training sales started at that time of about 130 horses).   I will get rid of three of my four mares.  

Not that I recall Stodge - certainly not one that attracted the quality of field it does now. The last day always seemed like a poor cousin so their move was probably to level the strength and allure to be on track over the 3 days, rather than the usual Derby and Cup Day dominance, 

Am I right in thinking then this is a "new" race so is anyone surprised it has drawn horses who might otherwise have gone for the Cup itself? Has there always been a 2000m Group 1 just after the Cup?

Hoping Via Sistina has had a rousing 3 lap workout this week too. Really hoping she goes to the Japan Cup but lining up here suggests otherwise 🥴  

Perhaps someone on here will know but looking at the Champions Stakes field (the MacKinnon as it used to be called I believe) there are three or four who I'm surprised weren't in the Melbourne Cup itself - WITHOUT A FIGHT, DUKE OF SESSA and a couple of others. Has the MacKinnon had an upgrade in terms of value and status so it now draws potential runners from the Cup and doesn't that explain why this year's Cup field, to my eye, looked quite weak? I don't understand what VRC are doing - they are making the same mistake Cheltenham have made. Creating more niche Grade or Group 1 races doesn't raise the bar overall as there is a finite pool of horses and you end up devaluing everything. Is this because they are competing with New South Wales? Fine if you have a top 2000m horse like VIA SISTINA but not so long ago the only option was to go for the Cup - SO YOU THINK being one example so you end up running your champions over the extended distance to see how good they really are - VERRY ELLEGGANT being another example.  I thought in the old days the progression was from the Cox Plate to the Cup - the MacKinnon wasn't the big race it now seems to be but I may have that wrong.

Maybe the Hyperbaric chamber therapy she has been undergoing suggests she has some issues 🥹

Sure they will have data on "on track" Fatalities but No accurate data on retirement caused by injury. The reason is the inadequate return of the SR form to NZTR on retirement of the horse. This is because NZTR do not have the systems in place to ensure returns of the SR24 forms and their computer systems are inadequate to prosecute that. I may make another thread on this matter as I have written a paper. The 1% Welfare fund is eating up 800k plus of stakes and no data comes from the SR24. That an epic Welfare fail.

Resisting the urge to chase my money left on the table by Stefi last start.  It would go against my #1 rule which is to never bet against a star whether that be horse/human/team - and there are at least 5 of them in this field alone.  Will be a great race to watch.

Can't say I have ever taken notice, but have these "run comments" always been there against each horse?  They appear to be directly linked to the comments which appear on stipes reports for those same races which is handy. Seems to me the TAB website is providing: 1. Race comments at the top of each race 2. Computer generated blurbs summarising stats and previous starts against each runner 3. Stipes report comments for each runners previous 5 starts 4. PDF form in the exact same format as the old Best Bet 5. They highlight the relevant stats in green ie if a horse is 3rd up they highlight its 3rd up form for easy reference May as well stick to easybets if all of the above is not enough info to make a selection  

Bates gets the ride on Another Wil. I reckon on Saturday at least he might be better off on this one.  I love Pride of Jenni but like many of you on here i reckon she's had her final and Another Wil is on the way up.  ps. this is a brilliant field.  Broadsiding and Fangirl also both favourites of mine.

These posts have been a lot of fun [none of it nasty, irrespective of one's beliefs] and has certainly been more enjoyable than what the thread was originally about.

Airpark Hustler very smart trial win at Ashburton today. Big chance when he makes his debut for the Pitman stable.

Max heard on Te News today that Trump got lots of unexpected votes from "young people and immigrants". Well, all I can say is that the immigrants may well regret being charmed by the man who wants to get rid of them and all their rellies.  

One wonders if Trump has been congradulat3d by the leaders of Mexico and Haiti.

looked just rolled out of his gear while trailing Mako up round the field. Was to far off him to of hit a wheel or anything. Chase A Dream was super impressive on that race too on October 11th . looks the one for the Velocity alright.   The filly Coastal Babe was extra good lately too. I quite like her to win it (will get inside draw I think being a filly)  Your bloke has made the field ok .  and Racing for Dean Shannon too in his Slot.. His good Colt 'Cold Chisel ' now out injured allowed Better Knuckle Up in for you. must be some chance alright.. 

FFS…OF COURSE IT WILL HURT US…..BIGTIME.. https://www.farmersweekly.co.nz/politics/sector-braces-for-high-cost-of-trump-win/ https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/533088/us-election-what-does-a-donald-trump-victory-mean-for-new-zealand-s-economy  

Great ride by Declan on Kettle Hill today at $19……for the Maher stable of course…..

Why the unnecessary extra long gap between races. Maybe someone from Entain explain why. Not much fun for trainers from the deep south and Canterbury.  Kaikoura last Sunday was brilliant 15 to 20 mins between races.