Thrashing the Handicap System

bit of a bogey

Discussion on another thread about Mark Prescott handicapping horses over less than ideal distance and then hacking up when stepped up in trip. This has been going on years and it sometimes seems like racing is still in the dark ages with this carry on.

It's so obvious and more often than not, its the same brazen culprits since they took out their licence. Having said this, I don't blame the trainers or owners as its the system they work within.

My question is, how can this situation be improved upon? Its not a good image for racing and makes it especially difficult for newcomers to the sport to get their head around. It just sounds crooked.

Could the handicapping system as we know it be scrapped? How about simply breaking it down into multiple grades/divisions of level weights with the higher grades/division always showing a higher purse than the grade/division below.

Could every horse start off in the lowest maiden grade and then only go up through the ranks. If the handicapper deemed it suitable, the horse could go up more than grade.

I understand that something like this would never be implemented anyway as there is no mindset for radical change within the sport. Only an idea but what's people thoughts or alternative suggestions?

braddun

the handicap system seems fair to me