That random superstar horse idea is a nice one, but does not play out in reality. As Thunder demonstrated last season, once you unlock the right stats in your breeding, making it a science, it is just a matter of time before you breed a horse that is group class in the league. It is not skill or talent or even luck, it is just a question of having the time to throw at the problem and being specific and patient.

Only thing I changed from last season to this was a program to specifically breed stats, I just about got there on my last cycle before the league say 20 seasons per game, none of which was actually played, add in more time and that magic CK stat will appear too and it's done, and some of those I have already are not exactly bad. And once your there, breeding more is simple, hence not breeding and staying at the top, for those like John who have done it.

The kicker is it just makes it all the more tedious and less enjoyable, least for me. From three games (really only done to keep the lineage different) I used to get maybe 40-50 horses worth progressing at 3yo now it is closer to 100-120, all of whom look about the same and you can split them by a hair in trials. Add in the stupid quirks of the racekit that punish certain styles further driving scientific breeding for specific styles and the whole thing just gets worse............I'd make the whole breeding aspect utterly random in So7.

If we could do away with the detailed stats screen that would not only be beneficial for the league, but also improve the single player game as you wouldn't know how good your horse is until you ran it.

Personally as i have said a few times i would love it if the league was gamebred only horses, then your gonna get more trainers being conpetitive. No doubt almost everyone wouldn't favour this option, but just my opinion.

Hiding the bars, now that would be an interesting move, hard to sell I expect as a game developer making a simulation mind.

I guess at the end of the day - no matter what is implemented - if you play the game more often than most and look for signs to breed with - bars or no bars - that person/s will have the better horses.

It just depends what your end goal is and how you want to get there. If you want a stable full of G1 horses - play a customised short game and breed like crazy - breeding multiple generations a day.

I still love the stock game and am almost on my 100th season and am slowly gearing my breeding to the league. Of course I'd love a G1 horse/s in my stable but it's not going to worry me if I don't. As long as I have races that my horses can serve it up then I am happy.

Also - since later last year a lot of G1 trainers have shared their info on how to breed and what to look for in breeding - this is a good thing and good for the league.

Mate you have been complaining alot of late if me John or whoever else was not around someone else would be dominating
its been that way since day one a small group or even in cases one person dominated I remeber working hard on my team
only to see Andy dominate and destroy everyone at every single distance you never heard one complaint from me not a
mention of it being bad for the league in fact i was in awe of his horses it spured me on to try and get closer.

your comments have just been so negative of late it upsets me to be honest I have put alot into getting up the ladder now im
getting there I hear im bad for the league, I find it really upsetting to be honest.

Josh you clearly have the time for it you can see that with the success you are having
if you dont have the stomach for trialing or doing whats needed to be competitive dont
have a pop at those who do.

Maybe you want me John & Jim to disappear im not sticking around to listen to someone
whining about my Flippin hard earned success but think of this Imagine if Thunderspark was entering horses
or even James Andy Scatters in his prime Steve Nashwan were all back involved where would you be i
know id be shoved right down the ladder. I would not be complaining though it's FUN it's a Game Jaysus
not life or flippin death

Well said mate

One last point Scatters posted his secrets to breeding (All Legal) which was maybe 6 or 7 years ago he stated
back then front runners have a big advantage in the league he said export horses without instruction and to watch
horses in your trials to see the ones happy to take up the running and make note of the ones who win trials while
leading the way and to breed those types I think that was as far back as so3 or 4 and its the same today. He was the
dominant force in the league back than which apparently was very bad for the league.

He and Thunderspark helped me greatly back then.

Anyway Professor out

Was not trying to have a pop at anyone, just expressing my views. I actually still enjoy the game, but i enjoy the league more as you will only ever get so much from beating a computer, and in my opinion to compete in the later you largely need to forego the former. I just feel the whole thing would be better if one worked hand in hand with the other. That there was more parity between league and game races. Bit of healthy debate is not a bad thing?

Anyho as I am clearly ruffling feathers I'll go back to my box.

Has not sounded like debate to me in fact I have felt singled out over the last few weeks
and I have to say mainly by you Josh.

I spent years trying to get competitive in the league spent seasons getting hammered
never complained once never winged or bitched that i was not in the same league as the
top guns and certainly never said they were a bad thing for the league I simply asked that those
were doing it could just give me and everyone a little time to help us to improve.

I remember the first year involved the people running kept saying you have done amazing
me scratching my head thinking why im trailing in all races only later for rumor to Immerce
that from top to bottom it was riddled with cheating and my horses never stood a chance of
succeeding it took me a few years to get back involved.

I came back and was at the bottom and at best was reaching mid table all the trainers ahead
of me were miles and miles ahead I Never complained once worked hard to try and be competitive
I could have not bothered gave up even publicly moaned about it,

I then took it really seriously threw my self into it im retired due to ill health so have the time
I came into that season and as I said before Andy Killed us all there was a huge gulf between
him and all of the rest of us I Mean massive i again Never moaned once.

Then guys like John who I hope I helped along the way went passed me then a long way passed me
even though I was throwing everything at the thing. The next few seasons I was up there but could
not be regarded a top trainer. This season has been a breakthrough for me no doubt because James
Jalupan Nashwan Scatters and countless more are no longer involved.

I have done the hard yards been at the bottom and worked my way up and I just feel how dare
anyone criticize me for it or even moan about it.

At the end of the day its meant to a bit of craic a bit of fun and because all of a sudden I reach the top
Im the one who is bad for the league well good luck gentlemen.

I think I can see both points of view here.

Trainers like John and Paul have got to a certain level and it is natural that they are going to want to try and improve. Once you lose the hunger for anything you may as well give it up. It isn't fair to ask them to ease up or stop progressing and I don't think anyone would want to especially as both are very open in giving help and advice. There is no secret formula ha ha its mine attitude in this league and that is a great credit to the whole community.

I can totally understand Josh's frustration with his position though because he is 'in the next wave', right behind the top trainers. It is that 'last step is the hardest' thing and (hope I am not talking out of turn here) he probably sees the summit pulling away rather than getting closer which must be frustrating, especially if you don't have a lot of time to devote to the game. In the wide scheme of things of course 75% of the trainers in the league would swap stables with Josh as he is light years ahead of them. Everything is relative.

Jim has shown this year that it is possible to take that last step but as with everything it comes down to how much time and inclination you have. It is easy to get disillusioned, especially if you feel you are going backwards or that those in front are pulling away and those behind are catching you up, which I would politely suggest is how Josh feels at this time.

Personally I think Stu is thinking along the right lines going forward. I would like to see a new rule implemented where 50% of your stable must return for a second season. This would at least limit the speed at which the elite could pull away.

Finally, I have a sense that due to the unfortunate things that have been happening in the first few weeks a lot of people are feeling a bit edgy and sensitive about comments and perceived criticism. I am sure I am not alone in saying that no one wants any of the current trainers to leave or go away and that it is great that we have had some new genuine players join us and we don't want to do anything to put them off enjoying something that is great fun and hugely enjoyable.

I dont want any bad feeling never have on here I hate confrontation and always
have I feel there is bad feeling growing and it seems to be coming my way im
certainly not a sensitive person but when you see post after post where someone
is moaning about how far they are behind and naming you personally as being bad
for the league it begins to ware you down todays comments have upset me personally.

I want no bad feeling and life is too short
this is not a case of me taking my ball home i will continue to run the DCC for the enjoyment
of other but as of now I feel that the implications of me being involved as a trainer is causing
grievance to others and I dont need that all the best to you all for the season. I will continue to watch
especially the shows they are different class some may see this as an over reaction but I just feel its
been building for a few weeks it started even before the season started. Best of luck to you
all especially the newbies DOUG get that winner Martin has big smile on his face mate.

Don't be daft mate. This is the last thing we need or anyone wants. I have been back through the threads and read how you, Gray and Leon turned this league into what it is now so you ain't going anywhere !!

Anymore of this nonsense and I will call a Commentators strike to begin with immediate effect !!

Besides which I intend to beat that Lamborghini this weekend with my 2000 Guineas third and I can't do that if you ain't in it !!

Paul,

Your taking this too much to heart, in no way shape or form do I want you too quit the league or your activity within it. It would be about the last outcome I would want or expect. I'd rather pack up shop myself than see that, especially where you are naming me as the cause.

Well aware I can be a little abrasive at times, often without really meaning to be. So you stay, and I shall leave this alone for the time being. Not pulling my horses, too much effort expended to do that off the back of a disagreement/misunderstanding, exactly the same reason you ought to stay and enjoy your hard earned success.

I apologise for recent and previous comments and hope that can be an end to it.

Josh

To put it in Aussie Football terms Paul. For so long now you have been the hunter - and now you are at the top of your game you are now the hunted

Mate - stay where you are and enjoy the view from the summit - it doesn't matter what rule changes are put in place for this game - if you have the time on your hands and the will you'll or whoever will have the better horses - it's just how it is - I know from interviewing Josh that he is a competitive chap and I know someone like himself would get awfully frustrated from not winning.

You and Gray are the heartbeat here and Martin has filled me in on the game/forum history and I'd say that without you two and Leon - we would not be having a league at all.

Paul and Josh - you are both going nowhere and you are both entering horses this week and beyond - no wonder us Aussies beat you lot at everything - I'm looking forward to the day our Socceroos thump you lot in the World Cup and one day my Aussie horses will thump your donkeys here as well - just mark my words

I gotta go - I've had enough porn for one day!