Racehorse TALK

Vic Owners Slam Move To Change Spring 2YO Races
The Victorian Thoroughbred Racing Owners' Association "has slammed Victoria Racing Club plans to remove 2YO racing from the pre-New Year racing calendar," reported racenet.com.au. The VRC "has advised Racing Victoria of its desire to push back the Maribyrnong Trial & Maribyrnong Plate from their prime spring carnival slots because of a decline in average starters". (Average runners in 2YO races run between October-December has dropped from 9.5 in 2004 to 7.8 in 2008 "prompting a decrease from 22 races run to 19 races run between August 1-January 1 each year.) Victorian Owners Association chairman David Moodie said the VRC plan would not come into force in this season, but would "cause problems for owners & breeders if it was introduced next season", declaring: "We are certainly opposed to any reduction in 2YO races, no matter what time of the year they are held. We see them as an appropriate part of the spring carnival & believe the status quo needs to be maintained. Owners & breeders would miss out on early black-type for their horses & it would have a detrimental effect on the autumn yearling sales & buyers there." Moodie noted any reschedule of the Maribyrnong Trial & Plate would also "affect the chances of Victorian horses getting a run in the Gr1 Golden Slipper, because of the need to earn early prize-money".