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Totally agree with you mate. The flat season stutters into action almost apologetically, it isn’t right really is it?
I’d also get rid of summer jumping and all weather if I had my way but I don’t expect miracles.
Is there any logical reason why the start of the flat can’t be put back so its given a proper beginning?
Hi Flash
You sure you’re not me? Agree totally but only that AW should banned in the flat seasonIt all depends when you see the start of the flat season, I personally don’t see the flat season starting until the craven in the UK, although Ireland usually has some interesting races before then. The lincoln in my view is just a target for mud lovers as is the November handicap.
I usually feel a bit dejected after the champ stakes meeting is over, then a bit more after racing post trophy and breeders cup then the November handicap is just a last wind down for the flat. Definitely wouldn’t like it to be shorter.
Whereas the Lincoln itself could possibly be a better race if a month later, startring the flat later would take a month off the early progress Juvenile season which builds pretty much till ascot, which could possibly be weaker for it.
given that so many horses have come back from the finale meeting at sandown with tendon injurys why not finish the jumps season with a bang on national day then the flat season could start the following week.
The start of the flat is in a good enough position as it is and is important for the smaller yards so they can hit the board before the big Newmarket,Malton,Middleham and Lambourn yards get going.
It is fair to say that you wont be seeing the Derby winner at Doncaster in March but if gives a chance for the more backward type of horse to get its eye in.
True it does end in a damp squib at Donny but with the Breeders Cup at that time of year that does draw some attention away.
I say leave things as they are but have more of a grand entrance to the start with a big bang to wet the appetite
Unless you can persuade someone to fix the date of Easter, you’re not going to be able to get a permanent start date for the turf season in April.
Why does it matter anyway – the golf season doesn’t start with a major, nor does tennis, football meanders in with the Community Shield, no idea when the rugby season starts.
Surely the key points of the turf season are what matters – the classics, which are fixed, Royal Ascot, York etc.
Same as the Open, Wimbledon, the Lords test match, the Cup Final, the Six Nations, it the big events that get the publicity, the crowds and the TV coverage.
Short of finding a million pounds under the carpet, there’s never going to be enough money to get the best horses at Doncaster in April any more than there is in March.
AP
Compared to the cricket schedule, the flat racing programme is a model of common sense and forethought.
Alan
We’re not talking top class or I’m not anyway but I am talking continuous so that once the flat starts we have turf meetings everyday not one now and again as at present with poorly supported AW weather in betweenTo be fair the Nottingham meeting looks ok with a listed race and a conditions sprint on.
When the turf does begin it needs a launch to get into the peoples eye and have them dreaming of Royal Ascot,The Derby,York,Goodwood,Newmarket,Windsor Mondays and Chester.
I am a huge jumping fan but i do like quality flat racing and always love to see the major meetings
Compared to the cricket schedule, the flat racing programme is a model of common sense and forethought.
Couldn’t agree more, Racing thinks it’s got problems with fixtures – blimey Cricket quite often has 3 different types on the same day – nobody knows what’s going on.
Funnil enoufg. I was only thinking last night that maybe the season should start later – maybe just before the Craven. But undestand why it doesn’t.Kent,
There are only four days in April 2008 that don’t have a turf flat meeting somewhere and two of those are Sundays. The total number of turf flat meetings in April is much the same as it was 20 years ago before the arrival of artifical surfaces.
It’s just that we have so much more racing now that those turf fixtures get lost in the mass of meetings. There’s no way of running enough turf fixtures to meet the demand as the courses available couldn’t handle the wear.
It doesn’t bother me because I’ve adapted – Polytrack or turf, it’s all flat racing as far as I’m concerned. I’m amazed that after almost 20 years, most racing fans still feel the need to be anti-AW, as though accepting it would be some sort of breach of faith.
AP
Even the most ardent turf fan would have to admit the quality of all weather racing especially at the weekends is good this time of year.
I would move the Winter Derby to Kempton though.
I don’t even bother about betting on the Flat until May. I do watch all the classic trials with keen interest though.
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
Can’t see it really matters, poor prize money throughout the year is a much greater concern to me.
Alan
I’m not anti AW but like the handicapper I don’t believe the form is interchangeable. I therefore find races where all the form is from the AW or vice versa uninteresting from a betting point of view. It’s also the reason I rarely entertain betting on the AW until the January /March period when there is established solid AW form.20 years ago the flat was not jumbled with a load of poly form just the occasional runner from CagnesI think this year was even more disrupted with Easter being so early, but all in all I don’t think there is too much wrong with things. Summer jumping obviously has its place as there are always plenty of runners (except novice chases) and its something the Irish have done for years without any problems. Also I don’t see anything wrong with racing on polytrack or fibresand during the summer. Some horses prefer that to turf and I think there have been some very good horses who have run at Lingfield and Kempton in recent years, especially in the listed and group races.
Alan
I’m not anti AW but like the handicapper I don’t believe the form is interchangeable. I therefore find races where all the form is from the AW or vice versa uninteresting from a betting point of view. It’s also the reason I rarely entertain betting on the AW until the January /March period when there is established solid AW form.20 years ago the flat was not jumbled with a load of poly form just the occasional runner from CagnesAs has been mentioned previously I don’t really see the need for different ratings for AW and turf. It’s just a different type of going after all and a reasonably consistent one at that. I assume twenty years ago you had to wait until June to have a bet when there is established solid turf form ?
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