This is where the schedule is currently. It's roughly 1/3 handicaps (the ratings bands are subject to change, more testing will be done here or handicapping will be done after the first week to set the top horses in the 120 range, then dropping thereafter). You will also notice a lack of races at unfashionable/uncommon distances.

The ideal make up of the stable to compete on multiple fronts:

4 sprinters (2 2yos, 2 3yo+ horses)
5 milers (2 2yos, 3 year old colt and filly + one older horse)
4 10f horses (1 2yo, 3 year old colt and filly + one older horse)
3 12f horses (3 year old colt and filly + one older horse)
2 14f horses
2 long distance horses

Total 20. But I know that some people don't focus on 2 year olds which would free up an additional 5 spaces, or don't focus on stayers which would free up 4 slots. By setting the stable limit at 20 it will force the top stables to spread themselves thin and give others more chances.

http://www.filedropper.com/so5soplschedule

Thoughts? This is not the final copy so happy to add some races if there is a shortage of a particular type of race.

Nice to see this Rich. Going to be my first time in the league. Just a couple of points to clarify and my apologies if these are newbie questions.

Are the races still going to be capped to 16 runners/race?

You mention that some might not concentrate on 2 year olds.. or stayers and this will free slots up for them. However looking at the schedule in the first two weeks if I didn't have any 2 year olds for example I would struggle to place the 4 other horses I upload into a maiden race. How could I assure them a run so I can get a mark to enter other races? I can see a position where a horse hasn't run and then is having to try and find a race in a G2/3 and there are no slots based on rating for that horse. Or perhaps I've missed something here so would be grateful if you could clarify.

With regard to the 2 year old races, what age setting is the league using in CK? Both PJ and my results show that if you set the age to 2 year old compared to setting it to open (or 2/3 year olds only) results in a significant discrepancy in the time posted. In fact I'll go as far as to say at 7f running only 2 year olds I can't break 1:25 when the age is set to 2 year old but when set to either of the other two I break this easily everytime.

Also I know you've been asked enough about this. But given the preliminary schedule is out any idea of a start date?

i have mainly concentrated on 2yo
my team will have at least 10 2yo
at 5 6 7 8 9 10f 1 colt 1 filly and at 1m1f will just go with my best
with what akhc has mentioned 2yo races sound to be scarce which is a blow for my team
i have though saved my best 2yo and will trial them at 3 if i get time

i have put loads of time in on the 2yo div because its quicker and less time needed than older horses
i look for 2yo with potential bar full and that bar maxed
and they are ready to race on day 1 of the season

i have not had a look at the sched cos i dont no how

There are a number of 2yo races, most of the big ones. In fact I would say that someone could devote their time to having a 2yo stable and do pretty well. Taking the mile division as an example, if you want to compete on all fronts you will probably need to campaign your 2 year old over 7f and 8f. If you want to specialise you can have a 2yo 7f filly, 2yo 7f colt, 2yo 8f filly and 2yo 8f colt. Can you access the link Paul?

Akhc, 2yo races only will be run as "2yo Only" races. Open races, like the Nunthorpe and Coolmore Lightning Stakes will be run as Open with 2yos getting the associated weight allowance.

The first week is likely to see the maidens split into two, in that case trainers could have a runner in both races. I am fully expecting some trainers (the top ones) to start their horses in Listed races or Group 3s though. There is likely to be a cap on the G1 runners, 14/16 something like that.

excellent stuff Rich

i am doing in depth 2yo trials at moment
its draining but hope it will pay off again this season
would love to defend my ascot 2yo crowns but think the strength in my team is over 7 & 8 f

i am also only running trials under the condition 2yo only
as having open triala puts up false times for lge IMO

That's good to know Paul. How does the weight allowance work in trials? Does it overly favour or penalise 2 year olds in your view?

As for start date, really depends on getting TOM set up. I think dodgy is trying to sort it out.

mainly 3yo's or the older horses win but drag your 2yo to super quick times
i have not done alot of open trials mainly 2yo only trials

i have worked soley on 2yo for about 6-8 weeks and over past 2 weeks have not managed to beat my best times
so i have decided to go with what i have got and then train my top 2yo that dont make the lge team & trian them for
the mile classics

didnt think i would put as much time in this season but have ended up nearly putting as much in as last year its too dam addictive
but very glad i am nearly finished i will then patch together a nh team and THATS IT!!!

the thing that i notice with so5 is that my best ck 5 & 6 f 2yo are actually 7 or 8f horses ingame just hope they
dont get badly outpaced in the lge but i would say it will be the same for everyone

Given the discrepencies in posted times (with 2yr old only races being between .5 and .7s slower compared to open/2yr and 3 yr old races), is there any reason why races where only 2 yr olds are entered can't be run as open so that a comparison in performance of 2 yr olds between races can be accurately made?

How do you decide which runners start in listed races such as in the first week if all horses are unrated?

Good to know that there will be two maidens and we can have runners in both races.



The weight allowance for 2 year olds don't come anywhere close enough to allow them to be competitive in the CK in open races. Bearing in mind that the it's essentially the same cohort of horses my best 2 yr olds are a second off my best 3yr olds at any distance

I think most people will know what kind of level they will be competing at. For example the Winter Derby in week 1 as a prep for the Dubai World Cup. A horse entered in the maiden race may not get a clear run and end up with a rating that isn't high enough to run in the G1.

That's why the stable limit is so important, if it's too many then the top stable can flood the races with good horses.

Sorry Rich, the point I am trying to make is what if the listed races in week 1 are oversubscribed. Will you run two listed races then? Or if not how do you choose which runners start if all are unrated.

looking at your best times mate you willl be aiming for group races

Absolutely, 32 entries = 2x 16 entries

cheers rick no problem with the schedule wat so ever and love the us triple crown in there and the gamebred races...trialing all my horses now...this trialing thing is doing my head in takes forever to see which one makes the cut..

yap sole destroying

Actually I like trialling in CK . Sometimes it's all I can do to drag myself away from trialling to breed more horses!