Tom's First

[masun]

Can someone educate me on this: why on earth did Hayes send the 3yo Tom's First to a Class 3 2000m race in Shatin yesterday?
Tom's First last ran in a Class 2 1600m race carrying 116lbs. Yesterday it had to carry the top weight 132lb, an increase of 16lbs, to run a further 400m. The horse lost the race by 4 lenghts.
I just wonder what good would such a strenuous race do to the growth/development of a 3yo?
According to my racing booklet, Tom's First is sired by Danehill Dancer which had won four races from 1200 to 1400. So it doesn't look like Tom's First is a bred to be a stayer.
Can someone explain to me what was Hayes' Plan? What was it that he wanted to achieve?

[hobbes]

got me, i have no idea Masun. :D :D :D

[rubbintug]

I'll have a go Masun..
Masun: "I just wonder what good would such a strenuous race do to the growth/development of a 3yo?"
I don't think it is too demanding. Tom's First is a September foal and we are now well into the Southern Hemisphere 3yo season. He should be tough enough for such a task.
I think such a task pales into insignificance compared to asking 3yo's to run over 2500m at Flemington in early November as they do in the VRC Derby and Oaks.
I actually thought TF ran a fair race in running fifth. He met an unusually strong field being Chinese New Year.
I don't see anything wrong with experimenting to see if he will run a trip - despite his impost.
He has been notorious for missing the start. Perhaps they thought with the longer distance there would be a slower early tempo which would allow him to muster some speed and hold a forward spot.
Interesting that Tom's First's half brother Shining Comet (4yo by Comet Shine) has won over 2200m in NZ. And two starts back he won over 2000m by 24 lengths. Yes, the margins were 24len, 4len in a field of seven.

[doggy]

I got a feeling D Hayes knows what he's doing. They (meaning Hayes and company) must love fielding questions from people who've never trained a winner. Owners drive them mad, often asking stupid questions. Guess if you pay the bills you have the right to ask what you want.

[corkey boy]

Perhaps it was just a test to see if the horse could stay and in any event, not running a place should see the horse drop a pound or two in the ratings which couldn't hurt either.

[hobbes]

:p ;) :rolleyes: :cool: :rolleyes: ;) :p