I think we’ve had the RP standards discussion about six months ago, but just to restate the position:
RP standards are not based on averages. They are the BEST times achievable by mature horses rated 100 adjusted to 9st (flat) and 12st(jumps) on good ground.
I think it’s the word standard that confuses people because in our language it can mean so many things ranging from excellent to ordinary
……Kauto Star sets the standard(excellent)
……would you like a standard meal (average)
RP standards are representative of excellence, so they are not achieved very often – usually only in very good races run at a fair pace or when the ground is riding very fast, speeding horses up.