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 My review of the Flat league schedule - 36 races a week 
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Post My review of the Flat league schedule - 36 races a week
I have performed a review of the flat league schedule taking into account the following:
- Leon wants to reduce each week to 36 races.
- Martin stated too many long distance stayer races, too many G1 and G1 handicaps.
- leon wants more empathise on the game doing the handicapping going forward, which means higher rated horses and therefore less need for 0-70 races.
- removal of some duplicated distances.
- removal of races with low entries in the previous season.
- kept the important races in the schedule.
- tried to keep enough races to accommodate the most populated divisions
- kept the AW Championship as it currently is. I would say finals day ratings need to be increased to enable more qualifiers to enter the finals.
- maidens in every distance not necessary required, especially in week 7.
- if some races are oversubscribed, they should be limited to one horse per trainer, the highest rated.

My review of the schedule is based on my experiences of being a lower level trainer, a midfield trainer and a top 4 trainer.

I have made of a list of the races I think could be removed from the schedule to get down to 36 races a week.

Races that could be removed:

WEEK 1:
1 8 Woodlands Maiden Stakes Ascot 10000 3+ Open Maiden 18 0 999 Turf
1 19 Stayers Conditions race Newmarket 25000 3+ Open Conditions 16 0 999 Turf
1 25 Weatherbys Hamilton Insurance Maiden Newmarket 10000 4+ Open Maiden 14 0 999 Turf

WEEK 2:
2 6 32Red Casino Handicap Newmarket 20000 3+ Open 0-90 17 0 90 Turf
2 20 Dreweatts 1759 Maiden Stakes Newbury 15000 4+ Open Maiden 21 0 999 Turf
2 36 Vaal Stay the Distance Handicap Vaal 50000 3+ Open 0-80 14 0 80 Dirt

WEEK 3:
3 4 Boxing Day Tickets Here Handicap Kempton Park 70000 3+ Open 0-70 11 0 70 Dirt
3 5 Case Closed Stayers Handicap Kempton Park 25000 3+ Open 0-100 21 0 100 Dirt
3 14 Totepool.Com Thirsk Hunt Cup Thirsk 25000 3+ Open 0-70 8 0 70 Turf
3 22 Crown Inn Handicap Ascot 16000 3+ Open 0-80 18 0 80 Turf

WEEK 4:
4 10 Pontefract Marathon Pontefract 10000 3+ Open 0-90 21.5 0 90 Turf
4 19 Investec Handicap York 20000 3YO Open 0-90 16 0 90 Turf
4 28 Lingfield Stayer's Handicap Lingfield 14000 3+ Open 0-70 16 0 70 Turf

WEEK 5:
5 13 Fosters Gold Nursery Ffos Las 15000 2YO Open 0-70 5 0 70 Turf
5 33 Kranji Stayers Handicap Kranji 30000 3+ Open 0-80 19 0 80 Turf
5 36 AJC Derby Randwick 1200000 3YO Open Group 1 12 85 999 Turf

WEEK 6:
6 19 Cruise Nightclub Handicap Bath 22000 3+ Open 0-70 10 0 70 Turf
6 33 Bookermakers.com Carlisle Bell Carlisle 30000 3+ Open 0-70 7.5 0 70 Turf
6 34 Totepool.com Cumberland Plate Carlisle 30000 3+ Open 0-70 11 0 70 Turf
6 37 Audi Fleet Team Handicap Haydock 20000 3+ Open 0-80 15 0 80 Turf

WEEK 7:
7 16 Spa At Bedford Lodge Hotel Nursery Newmarket 20000 2YO Open 0-75 9 0 75 Turf
7 18 Betfred Irish Stallions Nursery Stakes Newcastle 14000 2YO Open 0-85 5 0 85 Dirt
7 22 Coral Handicap Sprint Stakes Sandown 16000 3+ Open 0-70 5 0 70 Turf
7 26 Mobile At Bet365.Com Maiden Haydock 20000 3+ Open Maiden 7 0 100 Turf
7 27 John Smiths Silver Cup Listed H'Cap York 38000 3+ Open 0-110 14 0 110 Turf
7 38 Newmarket Handicap Flemington 900000 3+ Open G1H 6 80 999 Turf
7 39 Autumn Carnival Ends Handicap Flemington 45000 3+ Open 0-70 7 0 70 Turf

WEEK 8:
8 5 UBS Goodwood Stakes Goodwood 40000 3+ Open 0-100 21 0 100 Turf
8 11 Darren Howells Stayers Goodwood 25000 3+ Open 0-70 18.5 0 70 Turf
8 14 Blackrock Fillies Stakes Goodwood 70000 3+ Fillies Group 3 14 0 999 Turf
8 36 0-90 Listed Stakes Oceanport 40000 2YO Open Listed 5.5 0 90 Dirt
8 37 Sapling Stakes Handicap Oceanport 40000 2YO Open 0-80 10 0 80 Dirt
8 39 Eatontown Handicap Oceanport 100000 3+ Fillies 0-70 8.5 0 70 Turf
8 40 Tsogo Sun Sprint Scotsville 100000 3+ Open G1H 6 0 999 Turf

WEEK 9:
9 16 Bet Victor Nursery York 28000 2YO Open 0-90 6 0 90 Turf
9 20 March Listed Stakes Goodwood 40000 3+ Open Listed 14 0 999 Turf
9 28 Sky Bet Convival Maiden Stakes Chepstow 30000 2YO Open Maiden 8.5 0 999 Turf
9 34 War And Fire Stayers Handicap Kempton Park 50000 3+ Open 0-85 21 0 85 Dirt
9 35 Get a winner Here Selling Stakes Kempton Park 60000 3+ Open 0-70 8 0 70 Dirt
9 39 Holty Stakes Baden Baden 20000 2YO Open 0-70 10 0 70 Turf

WEEK 10:
10 10 Park Hill Stakes Doncaster 100000 3+ Fillies Group 2 14 0 999 Turf
10 12 Stonehenge Nursery Salisbury 16000 2YO Open 0-70 9 0 70 Turf
10 20 UAE Handicap Ayr 20000 3+ Open 0-90 17 0 90 Turf
10 23 Totequickpick Handicap Yarmouth 16000 3+ Open 0-80 13 0 80 Turf
10 33 Qatar Grand Handicap Longchamp 50000 3+ Open 0-70 8 0 70 Turf
10 35 Goffs National Stakes Curragh 160000 2YO Open Group 1 7 90 999 Turf
10 38 Anglesey Handicap Curragh 15000 3+ Open 0-85 6 0 85 Turf

WEEK 11:
11 20 Kingdom Of Bahrain H'cap Stakes Newmarket 20000 3+ Open 0-75 17 0 75 Turf
11 23 Crownhotel-Bawtry.Com Nursery Chepstow 16000 2YO Open 0-90 7 0 90 Turf
11 24 Cappa Chino Handicap Chepstow 100000 3+ Open 0-80 20.5 0 80 Turf
11 26 Coral App Handicap Chepstow 25000 3+ Open 0-75 14 0 75 Turf
11 31 Yorkshire Tea 0-65 Condition Stakes Chepstow 15000 3+ Open 0-65 12 0 65 Turf
11 40 Singapore Gold Cup Kranji 1000000 3+ Open G1H 11 80 999 Turf
11 41 World Sports Betting Sprint Dirt1 Flamingo Park 40000 3+ Open 0-100 5 0 100 Dirt

WEEK 12:
12 1 Dunstall Park Handicap Wolverhampton 18000 3+ Open 0-70 11 0 70 Dirt
12 2 Wolves F C Handicap Wolverhampton 15000 3+ Open 0-70 5 0 70 Dirt
12 4 Le Mosse Handicap Saint Cloud 25000 3+ Open 0-100 7 0 100 Turf
12 5 Leopardstown Nursery Leopardstown 20000 2YO Open 0-70 7 0 70 Turf
12 7 Eyrefield Nusery Stakes Leopardstown 35000 2YO Open 0-85 9 0 85 Turf
12 18 UcantbeSirius Cup Flemington 100000 3+ Open 0-80 17 0 80 Turf
12 33 Coral Freebets Handicap Newcastle 15000 3+ Open 0-70 15 0 70 Dirt
12 40 Canadian International Toronto 600000 3+ Group 1 Group 1 12 0 100 Turf

WEEK 13:
13 4 Doncaster Shield Doncaster 40000 3+ Open 0-75 19 0 75 Turf
13 14 Manikato Stakes Moonee Valley 1000000 3+ Open Group 1 6 80 999 Turf
13 31 Tsogo Sun Sprint Turf2 Scottsville 600000 3+ Open Listed 6 0 110 Turf
13 33 L'Ormarins Queen's Plate Turf1 Kenilworth 400000 3+ Open Group 1 8 90 999 Turf
13 35 Sansui Summer Cup Turf2 Turffontein 650000 3+ Open G1H 10 80 999 Turf
13 40 Tenno So Kyoto 1100000 3+ Open Group 1 10 0 100 Turf
13 41 Fuji Stakes Tokyo 440000 3+ Open Group 1 8 0 100 Turf
13 42 Sprinters Stakes Tokyo 975000 3+ Open Group 1 6 0 100 Turf

* Caulfield Guineas max rating should be increased to 999

I also have an idea that week 13 could be amended to finish in Hong Kong for a change.

The following races could be replaced:
13 23 Cantala Stakes Flemington 800000 3+ Open G1H 8 0 999 Turf
13 25 Emirates Stakes Flemington 1500000 3+ Open Group 1 10 90 999 Turf
13 26 VRC Sprint Classic Flemington 1000000 3+ Open Group 1 6 90 999 Turf
13 43 Japan Cup Tokyo 4700000 3+ Open Group 1 12 90 999 Turf

with:
Hong Kong Mile  8f
Hong Kong Cup 10f
Hong Kong Sprint 6f
Hong Kong Vase 12f


Fri Mar 03, 2023 12:26 am
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Post Re: My review of the Flat league schedule - 36 races a week
Nice list, although I think dropping so many handicaps compared to Group races is not correct, the majority of players are in the handicap races, the Group races are for the MINORITY and should be dealt with as such.

Agree about 0-70's but think bands should be changed rather than just dropped with the in game handicapping.

The dropped races should be shared if we drop 3x handicaps then 3x Group/listed races have to go as well.

Of course only my opinion :)


Sat Mar 04, 2023 10:45 am
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Post Re: My review of the Flat league schedule - 36 races a week
If you let me know which handicap's in particular, I can explain my rationale.

A lot of the handicaps I dropped are long distance which people don't want, and the others there are probably multiple handicaps already that week for the same distances.

I have removed a number of group races and in my remaining schedule the Group races appear to be spread evenly over a number of different distances and year groups.

Based on season 13/14 results, at least half of the trainers in the league are capable of winning group races.


Sat Mar 04, 2023 4:53 pm
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Post Re: My review of the Flat league schedule - 36 races a week
I think we are all capable of winning a Group race in the current schedule, as we saw towards the end of this season, Group races with 3/4 runners & not your normal suspects.

Week 6 as an example (I am aware its Ascot) but drop 4 low rated handicaps over various distances nothing above 15f in a week where there are 19 group or listed races & 7 0-110/120 handicaps, leaving just 10 races 90 or lower.

I do not want to get into a back & forth over this & I have not got into depth over all your choices, I was just pointing out, it can not only be low rated handicaps that are cut to get the sched. down to 36 races.

Not easy trying to be faithful to the real world schedule with our league, sadly some races on both ends of the scale must be cut.


Sat Mar 04, 2023 6:29 pm
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Post Re: My review of the Flat league schedule - 36 races a week
As you can see, I dropped many group 1's from week 13 as I agree there are too many that week.

race 19 dropped because there are already these races:
6 11 Sandringham Handicap Ascot 60000 3+ Open 0-90 9 0 90 Turf
6 16 Tercentenary Stakes Ascot 80000 3UP Open 0-120 10 0 999 Turf
6 24 Wolferton Handicap Ascot 60000 3UP Open 0-80 10 0 80 Turf
6 35 Durban July Handicap Greyville 750000 3+ Open G1H 11 80 999 Turf

but you could drop the the G1H instead.

race 33 dropped because there are already these races:

6 7 Jersey Stakes Ascot 75000 3UP Open 0-110 7 0 110 Turf
6 9 Royal Hunt Cup Ascot 150000 3+ Open 0-110 8 0 110 Turf
6 15 Brittania Stakes Ascot 120000 3YO Open 0-70 8 0 70 Turf
6 26 Buckingham Palace Stakes Ascot 75000 3+ Open 0-70 7 0 70 Turf

race 34 dropped because there are already these races:
6 17 King George V Handicap Ascot 75000 3+ Open 0-70 12 0 70 Turf
6 35 Durban July Handicap Greyville 750000 3+ Open G1H 11 80 999 Turf

again, you could drop the the G1H instead.

race 37 dropped because there are already these races:
6 31 Duke Of Edinburgh Handicap Ascot 75000 3+ Open 0-90 14 0 90


Instead of dropping a handicap you could actually drop the:
6 40 Belmont Gold Cup Invitational Stakes Brooklyn 400000 4+ Open Group 2 16 0 999 Turf

As the Gold cup is this week, albeit further distance.


Sat Mar 04, 2023 7:26 pm
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Post Re: My review of the Flat league schedule - 36 races a week
I agree with Stu about most of this, dropping so many low level handicaps isn't the way, feels like we are going backwards, and also this should be decided among a few people, not just one person, there needs to be people at every level in the league discussing it, including volunteers.


Sun Mar 05, 2023 2:11 pm
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Post Re: My review of the Flat league schedule - 36 races a week
I am not going to get into an in depth discussion here as it will just mean going round and round in circles. People will naturally and understandably look at these things from their own perspective. That isn't a criticism its just the way it is.

The fact that Dan has taken the time to look at the schedule and Del is trying to set up trials shows that people do want the league to continue and that is good.

I will be honest and say at first look I was immediately taken by the fact that most of the races suggested were handicaps and it set alarm bells ringing. The handicap bandings are what may need to change. Personally I think less G1 races and more G2 at least makes thing more competitive with penalties. Turning all G3 races into 0-140 handicaps would also add more competition. The problem really is that things have become a little uncompetitive. Horses running up sequences of handicap wins shows this. Personally I dont want to see more than one G1 over the same distance in the same week unless its single sex or age restricted. Make these top horse give penalties away in G2 races or run in a high banded handicaps.

The other thing to consider is that if we are using the game to handicap then it can't cope with the foreign races as it rates them higher so a lot of not all of the races abroad should be first in line for the chop. Its also rather ridiculous for a game that is supposed to be some sort of sim to have horses running in England one week, Hong Kong the next and then France the next before a quick jaunt to South Africa or Australia.

What is really needed is a small race committee being made up from the volunteers who are at different levels to work through the schedule and agree a new schedule after taking on board the suggestions of others. I think Dan's list proves that there are plenty of races suitable to be dropped and we could possibly even get it back down to 10 a day with the exception of maybe a couple of special weeks. If it did go down to 10 then i would be able to do the flat comms no trouble at all.

First and most importantly though we need to get a group together and put some sort of plan in place with a doable timeline. Step 1 is actually deciding on a start date for the next season so that we all know what mwe have to get the things done we need doing.

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Sun Mar 05, 2023 5:24 pm
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Post Re: My review of the Flat league schedule - 36 races a week
Boys why dont u just pick 3 people to do the flat and jumps schedule so its down to 36 or what evers best for everyone. I think the best way is to get 1 from the top and one from the middle and lower down so all opinions are heard. And do whats best for everyone. :D


Sun Mar 05, 2023 7:12 pm
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Post Re: My review of the Flat league schedule - 36 races a week
I think before anything happens it would be a good idea to check Leon can do all this it seems like a lot of work.

If we’re trying to make it easier to run the league surely that and above are the main consideration


Sun Mar 05, 2023 7:25 pm
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Post Re: My review of the Flat league schedule - 36 races a week
Mattcooper wrote:
I think before anything happens it would be a good idea to check Leon can do all this it seems like a lot of work.

If we’re trying to make it easier to run the league surely that and above are the main consideration



Leon is legend he can do it :D
i am trying my best to keep another season
we got great guys here ... staff .. comms and trainers
more messages from trainers would be help as there are many dont say anything here on the forums


Sun Mar 05, 2023 7:58 pm
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Post Re: My review of the Flat league schedule - 36 races a week
In my updated schedule there are rarely 2 grade 1's of the same age/distance/sex/surface, but there is:

Week 2
2 16 Australian Cup Flemington 1500000 3+ Open Group 1 10 85 999 Turf
2 33 AJC Q.E Stakes Randwick 2500000 3+ Open Group 1 10 85 999 Turf

you could drop 1 for the:
2 36 Vaal Stay the Distance Handicap Vaal 50000 3+ Open 0-80 14 0 80 Dirt or a new handicap

Week 8:
8 7 Qipco Sussex Stakes Goodwood 300000 3+ Open Group 1 8 0 999 Turf
8 38 United Nation Stakes Oceanport 300000 3+ Open Group 1 8.5 70 999 Turf

Drop United Nation Stakes if you want for:
8 39 Eatontown Handicap Oceanport 100000 3+ Fillies 0-70 8.5 0 70 Turf or a new handicap

Week 12:
12 12 Breeders Cup Dirt Mile Louisville 1400000 3+ Open Group 1 8 90 999 Dirt
12 31 Breeders Cup Mile Louisville 1400000 3+ Open Group 1 8 90 999 Turf

You could drop 1 of these for a handicap but one is dirt and one is turf. Dirt specialists would not be happy.

Week 13:

I have already removed a number of group 1's from this week but there are a couple of duplicates.

13 15 Cox Plate Moonee Valley 2000000 3+ Open Group 1 10 100 999 Turf
13 25 Emirates Stakes Flemington 1500000 3+ Open Group 1 10 90 999 Turf

You could drop one for a new handicap

13 26 VRC Sprint Classic Flemington 1000000 3+ Open Group 1 6 90 999 Turf
13 30 The Everest Randwick 10000000 3+ Open Group 1 6 100 999 Turf

You could also drop one for a new handicap


Sun Mar 05, 2023 8:53 pm
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Post Re: My review of the Flat league schedule - 36 races a week
Everyone needs to evaluate the schedule and think what races should be dropped, saying there is too many group 1's, or not enough handicaps is not very helpful, everyone needs to to be more specific and accept some races have to go.

Having two group 1's a week actually gives more opportunity for trainers to win a group 1, so I don't see how it is always a bad thing.


Sun Mar 05, 2023 8:58 pm
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Post Re: My review of the Flat league schedule - 36 races a week
This is what i'd do in week 8 to get it down to 36.

6 Neptune Gordon Stakes Goodwood 70000 3+Open Listed 12

28 Prix Maurice De Gheest Deauville 160000 3+Open Group 1 6.5

34 Mile Handicap Brighton 15000 3+Colts 0-70 8

38 United Nation Stakes Oceanport 300000 3+ Open Group 1 8.5

39 Eatontown Handicap Oceanport 100000 3+ Fillies 0-70 8.5

40 Tsogo Sun Sprint Scotsville 100000 3+ Open G1H 6


Sun Mar 05, 2023 9:38 pm
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Post Re: My review of the Flat league schedule - 36 races a week
I think the Prix Maurice De Gheest should probably stay as it is the only top sprint that week. Maybe remove one of the long distance handicaps instead.

The Gordon Stakes is actually a group 3 for 3yo only in real life, so maybe that could be changed and you could drop the:

8 15 Coutts Glorious Stakes Goodwood 60000 4+ Open Group 3 12 0 999 Turf


Sun Mar 05, 2023 10:42 pm
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Post Re: My review of the Flat league schedule - 36 races a week
Just a note some group 1's later in the season can be merged.


For example the 2yo 1 mile races in week 12 can be merged into an open g1. There is no need to separate fillies and colts in game. You can have 1 dirt and 1 turf one if you want ( Debatable) but 3 is overkill and the fields are always small.

Also the French Derby can be open and loose the filly race.

Likewise the Australian derby and oaks in week 13. There is no need for 2 of these late in the season. Have one and make it open. I think after the Irish g1s for 3yo's we should no longer separate 3yo races by fillies and colts. This will allow us to drop a number of g1s without really losing anything. In real life this is needed but in game there is no disadvantage for a filly that I can see.

There is a gold and silver cup marathon race late in season. Should be merged with no handicap bar. Whereever we can we should be looking to merge races as it won't affect things much

If races are oversubscribed there are tools to split them


NH there are a number of duplicate group races over the same distance and these will be the first to go.


Mon Mar 06, 2023 9:30 am
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