I want to start to build a New Flat schedule from Scratch but I want trainers opinions on the start of the Schedule at the moment I want to change Week1 And Week2 around.

1 I want to bring the Meydan Meeting into week1 Reason it would be easier to have this meeting in week 1 to help the Craven Meeting in Week2 so both the New Tattersalls Millions Races 6f £1000,000 and 1m 2f £200,000 both these races would be 3+ and will be Listed Races can be added to the Craven Meeting this way Distance's wont clash as Meydan would be in week1 and all trainers enter horses in them being Top Trainer or Rookie so its pointless holding this meeting in week2.

The Brocklesby will be moved into week 2 with the rest of the Lincoln Meeting

So Week 1 would look like this

Meydan 8 Races
Lingfield Spring Cup,Winter Derby
20 Maiden Races

Week2
Doncaster Lincoln Meeting 2 Races = 4 maidens
Newmarket Craven Meeting 6 Races + 1 Maiden
Epsom Investec Derby Trial + 2 Hcaps 1Maiden
Newbury Greenham Stakes + 4 Maidens
Leicester King Richard iii Stakes 1 Hcap 3 Maidens
Irish Meeting 4 maidens

Please leave reasons why you agree or disagree but be constructive I have other ideas but want to get this out of the way first so we can then move on and I can start it so we have plenty of time to do it right this time.

Gray

most of the meydan meeting are group 1s so by league rule you have to have had a run with a max of 16 runners can see 20 plus runners would like to see maiden/listed/G3 races in week 1 on courses that have no bias

I like that there's more derby preps, not enough build up to the big race. I also like the brocklesby in week 2, something to aim for early but not 100% sure about putting the meydan meeting in week one.

I know some people thought there were to many group races but i'd like to keep them and add a few more races to each week so there's more h'caps, so there's enough races for everyone. As it's the last season for So 5. I know people don't want to add extra races but that way there's something for everyone.

The Brocklesby will be moved to week2 it should be with the Lincoln

I could tweak both the tattersalls races to back to just for 3yo means will lose Epsom's Investec Derby Trial which is also 1m2f as we have Dubai World Cup 4+ 1m 2f we could only Have 1 3yo Race at the same Distance of 1m2f so either investec goes or both Tattersalls races will be left out has we also have a Meydan 6f race for 3+ also.

Gray

Hi Gray,

Thanks for putting in the time and effort.

Just a request for more handicaps and fewer group races.

Sure you will do a great job.

My opinion is Meydan should always be the season opener
but agree with Jalupen we need to have an amnesty on the maiden in g1 rule just for week 1
top level trainers are always going to enter at Meydan
and those going for the title can't afford not to

i will be targeting the Meydan races and i would not count myself as a top trainer i am somewhere in the middle
also we need to look at Maidens for week 6 (after the window)

I trust you Gray and leave it in your capable hands we can have a look what you come up with
dont forget to put your tin hat on though

Meydan can't be in week 1. Sorry but can't happen with current rules. I have coded stuff in. Probably needs to stay where it is unless the rules are changed but don't think its a good idea to have unraced horses in grade 1's. Also its better for write ups etc if there is at least some form

Thanks we will leave Meydan in week 2 it was just a idea and the majority and Leons work with tom is the most important thing thanks for all your posts I will now work around Meydan put the first two weeks of the Schedule up when its done and we can all look at it and discuss if you would want to see something different be it a distance change or race change etc.

Hi nice to see a old favourite horse of mine being used as a nickname Teleprompter it will be a balanced schedule and will try and cater for all and i think Handicaps should be a major part of the league as Group Races.


Gray

Looking forward to the new schedule.

where were you this season mate

Too much hassle from certain quarters - will wait for SO6 and enter under a different name.

I know Gray will make a great schedule.

There will be 1 more season of SO5 it will be a while until a SO6 Lge
its probably not out till March/April add 3 - 6 months for people to put teams together
could be next September

Might submit a few next season.

Take care Paul.

I think that it is ok as it is, the first week should be full of maidens spread over every age group and distance. The only thing I think should be change should be the implementation of more handicap trials etc, have the Craven and Nell Gwyn, Chester Vase/Chester Oaks but it felt like there was a lack of handicaps over those distances before the big group races took place. I had to run both my 3yo 1m4f horses in maiden or group races until after week 6/7.

Week 1 seems fine, maybe make the 2 3yo fillies races at Lingfield open races and one of the 2yo salisbury fillies races and open race, change some of the handicaps throughout the season from 1m1/3f/5f to 1m2f/1m4f/1m6f. I think a lot of the international group races can be dropped for handicaps to allow more chances for more trainers i.e. Blue Wind Stakes, Robert Sangster Stakes, Underwood Stakes, Grangecon Stud Stakes. I do like the idea of G1 handicaps at the end of season championships though. The schedule is good, it just needs minor adjustments to be great but you aren't far off and we appreciate all that is done Gray and helpers!