48hr decs

[Bet Angel]

A nice post from Scott on this: -

http://www.sportismadeforbetting.com/20 ... thing.html

In my short experiance of Australian racing, I have to say everything seems to work much better there. I don't now if it is better funded or something but whenever I get involved in Aussie racing is doesn't seems to suffer from half the problems.

Maybe my view is a greener grass one but it would be interesting to hear other opinions.

[andyfuller]

I personally disagreed with quite a bit of what Scott wrote tbh.

More moans in today's Racing Post from people complaining about a stack of non-runners this week, naturally blaming the 48hr declarations rule for Flat racing. Of course, it had nothing to do with the fact it pissed down rain overnight or throughout those day

Kind of contradicted himself there imo, yes there still would have been WD's with 24hr decs but there were more because of it being 48hrs as the weather altered more in the extra 24hrs.

I find it ridiculous that trainers can pull their horses out at any time, particularly because they 'have to inspect the ground'. That's the clerk of the course's job, once the official going is announced, that should be end of story.

I would agree if we had consistency in the way the going is called but you struggle to get two people to agree on the going at the end of a meeting let alone before so I feel the trainer is well within their rights to inspect the going. Running a horse on the incorrect going has far reaching consequences and potentially welfare issues.

I can not see how 48hrs decs does not lead to more WD's. I think it is unfair on owners and trainers to expect them to run - no doubt if they didn't want to run but were forced to they are unlikely to hammer their horse trying to win on incorrect going etc.

If they declare 48hrs it doesn't really give you any longer to study the form, unless you are being selective in what races you look at, as there is still the same amount of racing on it just means that instead of looking at the form the night before you now look at it 2 nights before. On the American racing you often hear the presenter say that they have looked at the form 2 days ago but that is now pointless as such and such has now changed 48hrs later.

All in all I see little advantage to be gained with 48hr decs.

[Bet Angel]

I don't really know enough about racing, other than my superficial top level view, to make a reasoned judgement, but it's interesting to hear both sides of the coin.

I think there is lots that could be done to improve it's image and merchantability for sure.

[andyfuller]

I don't know a vast amount about the racing side of the industry, the breeding side was my main area but from what I do know I can see significant negatives to 48hr decs.

Speak to my friend about it who trains, he says it costs his owners a lot and is a complete pain in the rear end.

Can't say I have seen a convincing argument for them anywhere though I am keen to hear one.