Barrier Trials - Yea or Nay?

I don't know why people think the trials should give them form.
It's not the point.

Well, Dr Dom - that is the reason given to us . That is the reason why Barrier Trials were made compulsory in KZN.

so, if you were allergic to a substance and were presented for eating on a daily basis with eg. 4 food items, some of them declaring their make up and some not, and had to eat them all, would you be happy taking the risk of the blind spots? same application - transparency for the sake of presenting racing as a sport/game with integrity. Find reasons to get punters to believe they are getting a fair deal, not the other way round.

I think the Barrier trials are a good thing for racing and personally I would have liked to have seen them done at the training centres. I am less interested in the first timers and good luck to those who back them first up, I think its a lottery with first timers. The horses that have been rested more than 60 days that play a role in your Pick 6 or Jack Pot are the horses I want to see work. The pace of the work, horse its working with and overall movement is what I want to see.

I have seen more betting strikes at longer odds on horses that have been off for 120 days plus than on first timers besides which bookie ever allows you to have as much as you like at 10/1 on a first timer?

Louis, I think your overview is great but your comments are even better and this is what I would like to see more of from trainers to the punting public. I honestly don't know why they interview some trainers & assistants when they have the identical comment about each horse on the day. A simple comment on the wellbeing, sprint-up, blood or any other relevant information assists punters and I don't believe that the price gets taken based on this as every horse cannot win but the punter makes an informed decision.
There are more work riders and jocks that scoop the price of horses than many people like to believe, make the info public and there will be a better spread.

louisg wrote: Well, Dr Dom - that is the reason given to us . That is the reason why Barrier Trials were made compulsory in KZN.

I have not seen or heard of a barrier trial where horses were "win ready" and driven out to their best ability to "win" the trial, . So the "form"of a trial is questionable. Only the wellbeing of returning horses, and a subjective look at the potential of first timers is realistically an aim.

I also don't think there is any value for the punter who looks at a page of trial results rather than the trial itself or replays.

And as you mentioned earlier there are also more valuable insights such as honest trainer comments, and of course with raced horses, previous form, ratings , together with a pleasing /poor barrier trial can encourage punters decision making.

I thought Mr Bombastic was taught how to race in his last Barrier trial, rider used the whip etc

All of which could have been done at home, Bob. I will stand by my point that Punters need a lot MORE info than just Barrier Trials on unraced horses. And it CAN be done quite easily, imho.

For example, Tony Mincione hits the nail on the head with his comment earlier on this thread, iro Sectional Timing. Add to that, honest and detailed comments , which are disseminated properly, by all Trainers on all of their runners on raceday and then we are really going somewhere.

The fundamental principle is that we who make our living from Racing are mutually responsible for the wellbeing of Racing. Once we are on the course, our info belongs to all.

Our move to KZN has been a real eye opener. Obviously, our good run does change the picture a bit, but here the Punters come and ask you about your runners. And when you have put them right, even in a maiden race, you think that you have won a Feature, when you lead that horse in. They celebrate with you. Now, this is something thst we can all build on.

So, it is simple, for me - we get our Owner on on the morning and then let the rest of our Owners know a few minutes later. This is normally done on our eay to races. The horse shortens. Upon arrival at course, the public ask and we confirm.

But do not waste your time asking me days before raceday for a comment or refering to my horse's barrier trial of 6 weeks ago..

Right, so today at Scottsville, we have our first two Barrier Trialists. Lets watch them and revert , afterwards, on this thread. I guarantee u it will be very interesting !!

100% LG and wish you could get the rest of the trainers on the same page.

Now all we need is Pirates to give 3 independent journalists some pointers on what to ask, track and highlight, Teletrack to televise the information and the pools will grow along with the following of racing in a transparent environment. Add to this a top class race course experience and you can dispense with the bands and circus acts as racing becomes the focus. Invest in the right things and racing will grow.

louisg wrote:
Right, so today at Scottsville, we have our first two Barrier Trialists. Lets watch them and revert , afterwards, on this thread. I guarantee u it will be very interesting !!

LG Thank You and I agree with your approach as it seems fair to all. You refer to today's trial , may I ask two questions - Why are the rules changed in this case by not running on poly and running on grass today and - I was under the impression that all trials are to be run over 1000m in a time of 71 or 72 seconds - so today they are over 800m so a time adjustment must be made. How can we take this seriously .

You have two nice horses - one related to Hashtag Strat and Yaas .

The other Little Winter ( What a Winter) who's dam was Australian and won 3 races in Australia over 1000m and 1100m .

The field is made up of only 2 year old's a mix of colts and fillies with many with speed pedigrees .

Therefore what should we be looking at or for during this expensive exercise (with risk to injury) especially at Scottsville on the grass - to the owners for the public benefit.

ts put up andrew harrisons preview for todays meeting at scottsville and you will realise why turnover is where it is ..i have beeen carrying on and on about this useless information for going on a decade that punters want information from the horses mouth not journalists who have in my opinion zero creditation...why has he cnot contacted dean kanemeyer to find out the story with its my turn ?why not contact brett crawford to find out the wellbeing of black cat back after its 3 month rest ,when did it arrive ?is this a warm up run for the kings cup later in march?the even money favourite of mark dixons in race 4 two stroke why has it been out of racing for 8 months?the fields have been out for 6 days but i must read his garbage previews of each race which my 2 year old niece could do as well in her sleep..UTTER FCUKING LAZINESS AND UTTER CARE FROM HIS EMPLOYERS ..

So true Pirate - No such thing as journalists in this country . Gold circle have a whole department fcuk knows what they do all day . Love it when Shea comes on tv and you can see he has not even been through the card and is winging it.

Little Winter looks worth following