Hi everyone I'm new to the game and this forum. I bought s04 a couple of days ago and I absolutley love it, I didnt know it existed until I started searching for a horse racing game on the net.
Anyway I started up a flat season and Im having loads of fun with it. I have continuously bought horses which will win listed races by 4+ lengths and therefore make me think theyre great. Then however when I enter them for group races the come way down the field. One was my current 2 yr old who won 4 listed in a row in amazing times. When I put him in a 2yo G2 he came like 7th with a average time!
I think the best I have had is a group 2 win from a horse I bought who had cracking form in big races - he won a group 2 easy for me but came stone last in a group 1 over same ground and distance etc. I guess the question Im asking is : is there something different you have to do for your horse in a bigger race e.g. vary tactics or give more tactics or something??
My other question is whether horses deteriorate over the winter and if there is something you have to do to prevent it. Quite a few of my horses have gone from being great to awful over the winter break (theaforementioned easy group 2 winner) - he turned 6 and now comes last in the same races he won easy before.

First keep an eye on your condition bar mate as the green bar needs to be nearly full or full to get the best out of your horse, and with horses l have horses that can win listed on the bridle and struggle in group races. Its just trial and error mate some listed races are weak so you will only know how good they are by running them in Group races pal. It does take time mate. Breeding from G1 winners is a start pal but still wont happen overnight.

Cheers mate . Yeah Ive looked at a few things I just thought maybe there was something I was doing wrong when the horse hits a 'brick wall' in group class!

How about the sudden decline over the end of season period mate, do you know what may be wrong? My best horse was 5 and really good g2 winner but then at 6 he came last in listed races. Was it maybe time to retire or something I am missing?

Cheers for any responses from yourself or any other member. I love this game , just trying to get a few pointers from more seasoned players.

Yes to be honest older horses can hold form but l never run over 4yo. If they have G1 wins l send straight to barn at 4yo. Young horses at end of season you might be over running them.