Equus Awards 2016

For me the award shld go to the one who has won the most Gr1's failing which or if there is a tie then to the one whowho has won the most Gr2's and so on. But I think they do do this.

Mac its a little bit more complex than just Grade 1's and 2's. Three year olds running in open company at different times of the season in grade 1's and 2's should carry more weight than against their own age groups. A points system needs to be put in place as you and I have said for years so as to eliminate this grey area of opinion/vote. Every year the same problems and frustrations for something that should be a pleasure and a honour.

For years this has been controversial and i agree with the statements above.

The questions i have are;
1. Why would Zodiac Ruler even be included if he did not win a Grade 1 in the season?
2. Marinaresco was the only "3" year old to win a Grade 1 in open company...but Aba won the triple crown although this is mainly a JHB contest. The others shouldn't be in the race.
3. Enaad did not win a Grade 1 this season over distance but will receive the accolade
4. Smart Call smashed the possible horse of the year....

Difficult because racing thrives on differing opinion . If there was a points system there would still be arguments. Do you count fillies only race results if considering an open category? Does a horse that wins a g1 by a short head get the vote over the second horse that gave it 10 kg? Are we looking at rewarding a great performance? The best horse ? Or the horse that was not the best but accumulated points?

Apparently we already have a system to tell us who ran the best races in the season..ie: MR.
Which is when you think about it , albeit arguable flawed, is probably a far more unbiased system than a panel of judges . Sadly the system works against the best horses in the majority of graded races (all important for the receiving of awards) , many who end up not taking part ,or who are criticised for running at those weights and losing, even if a showing a good performance.

I generally vote for the horse I think showed they were the best horse in the category regardless , of how many races they won and, based on form where there were no obvious excuses for performance. I also actually watch as many replays as possible and stripes reports, where I look at all the contenders performances for validity. I do. This for my own betting and interest , I hope the panellists do at least that much too.

2yo colt - very close between Gunner and Always in Charge. Narrowly prefer AiC.
2yo filly- All 3 nominees in with a shout. Prefer Cloth of Cloud.
3yo colt- Abashiri
3yo filly- Bela-Bela
Older Male - Legal Eagle
Older Female - Smart Call
Sprinter - Talk to the Stars
Miler - Legal Eagle
Middle - Smart Call
Stayer - Abashiri
Horse of the Year - Smart Call
Special Mention - Inara-

Live on TT tonight guys if your bored

CHAMPION TWO YEAR FILLY - Cloth Of Cloud

Champion Two Year Old Colt - Always In Charge

CHAMPION THREE YEAR OLD FILLY - BELA BELA

CHAMPION THREE YEAR OLD COLT- MARINARESCO

Bob Brogan wrote: CHAMPION THREE YEAR OLD COLT- MARINARESCO

Very shocked at this

CHAMPION OLDER FILLY/MARE - SMART CALL