Don't go tinkering
Congratulations to the VRC on a very successful All-Star Mile — what a wonderful concept.
To hear the stories of the race ambassadors, many new to racing, and how they came to vote, once again proved that Australians love a battler.
I am proud to admit to being one of the 800 part-owners of Urban Ruler and felt no shame in his last placing, less than 10 lengths from the winner.
There was a lot of comment about the benchmark 70 and above criteria to get into the race but the relatively compressed finishing margins show that, as with humans, maybe horses also rise to the occasion.
The first five horses to finish had collectively amassed more than $13 million prior to the race and deserved to finish where they did on that alone.
However, when a horse like Happy Clapper, the winner of almost $4 million, one of the best milers in Australia and so often the bridesmaid to Winx, can only beat Urban Ruler by six lengths it really brings everything into perspective.
VRC, please don’t make this race another benefit for the so-called best of the best by tinkering with the rules too much.
Racing needs all the new blood it can get and this entry by voting obviously worked, judging by the crowd at Flemington.
As with this year, you can always bring in form horses via the four wildcards.
Keep up the good work.
Morpeth (NSW)