To fit in with the new handicap rules it's obvious that the early handicaps in season (arguably those most open to abuse) will need to be amended.

Week 2:


Race 1: Lincoln Handicap move to Week 5 (this will then coincide with the Lockinge and that should draw away the Group class horses which shouldnt be running in a handicap anyway)

Race 12: Maiden not handicap

Race 13: Maiden not handicap

Race 19: Maiden not handicap


Week 3:


Race 6: Maiden not handicap

Race 7: Maiden not handicap

Race 9: Maiden not handicap

Race 13: Maiden not handicap – change to 6f

Race 16: Listed not handicap

Race 18: Maiden not handicap

Race 21: Maiden not handicap

Race 22: Maiden not handicap



Week 4 will then largely remain the same. I appreciate that maiden winners won't have enough races to get a handicap marker in Week 4, that's the whole point. If you win a maiden in the early weeks, chances are that's a group level horse.

The other changes will be removing the early handicaps for 2yo races and concentrating on maidens (as in real life, it's your choice when you target the debut race for your 2yo) and I'm going to limit the longer 2yo distances 7f+ to later in the season.

All OK? Let me know if there are any obvious pitfalls.

I should add, I have worked it out, all handicaps in Week 4 will have had 3 races in previous weeks within 1f of the handicap distance.

Rich,

I think you made a mistake for week 3.

Should it be Race 17: Maiden not handicap

and not Race 18: Maiden not handicap

as Race 17 is the handicap and Race 17 is a Listed race?

Cheers

Rich,

I also take it that the schedule isn't finalised yet as you are going to still make adjustments the 2yo season?

Cheers

So as I see it If I upload a horse in week five I can run it in a maiden but then have to wait until week nine to run it in another and possibly week thirteen to run its third race for handicap qualification. Alternatively I can run it in a maiden and try to enter it into a group race as I don't have a handicap mark.

1. Kind of defeats the object of keeping low rated horses out of group races.

2. What is the point of uploading a moderate handicapper after week 1?

Surely there HAS to be more maiden races for the new uploads.

Maybe I am wrong?

Why not give maiden winners handicap marks as per real life.

I would also like to see maiden handicaps 0-70 replace banded or restricted races.

Rich has said "I may relax it to two runs if both those runs have been over the handicap distance, will see how it plays out" and "I want handicaps to be difficult to win for the top trainers who are used to instant success and to reward the smaller stables who upload their horses early, don't turn over huge numbers of horses in their games and therefore won't be uploading new types every week"

Which sounds good to me

I think Rivers has a point here:

Maybe six extra maidens per week would be the way to go.

Maidens for week A

5f
7f
9f
11f
14f
18f

Maidens for week B

6f
8f
10f
12f
16f
20f

All 3+ age group.

These should be run on good or standard going.

I understand what Rich is saying but new players coming in mid way through the season will be disadvantaged due to lack of maiden races, even with the two maiden run rule a horse uploaded in week six for example would have to wait until week fourteen to compete in handicaps.
Anyway that is enough from me for now - I am sure you guys have it all under control.

This would be good in the early weeks, but as the weeks go on there may not be a large amount of horses getting uploaded, and horses with a handicap mark that are still maidens would have a better chance of winning a handicap race that week and not a maiden.

I think most trainers would be hoping an uploaded horse during the season would be better than a handicapper anyway, listed class at least. you may see the early season horses running in the big handicaps later in the season and not new uploads.

Okay mate whatever you say - good luck.

I dont think all players will be targeting group races with new uploads though.

I like the new rule's I'll give you an example of one of my horses from last season.

Air Hawks
1st run 1m3f maiden finished 16th
2nd run 1m4f handicap finished 1st carrying 7-12 which won't happen this season
3rd run Chester Vase G3 finished 1st
4th run Derby finished 2nd to an unraced horse which won't happen this season.

This horse must have been a handicap certainty on its second run.

I agree there was a problem with one run handicap ratings.

I like the three run rule it was actually my idea initially and I proposed it in my pre election manifesto.

The problem is with new uploads for average players.

I think you are looking at things from your perspective instead of from an average players point of view.

This season stable is not better than last seasons

I do like your idea, It may be better to add maiden races as the season goes on depending on the amount of uploaded horses.

Agreed.

Player need to be more patient with there horses and not just run them for the sake of having a runners, I had a horses last season she won here maiden in week 1 then didn't run until week 7

Again I agree with that - my manifesto suggested a capping of the number of runs a horse should have which would again make players think about placement.
Personally I would go with between 8 and 10 runs per season.