Ceiling Times

The Distance handicapper threw out generous lifts all season and got his pants pulled down in the open 800 at Stawell. How can the winner, an established athlete run 2.4 seconds below ceiling time. Nothing against the athlete at all but very bad handicapping

The women’s 800 was even worse. 5 seconds below ceiling time for the winner and that was after she was pulled 16m for the final.

George Dubya wrote:The Distance handicapper threw out generous lifts all season and got his pants pulled down in the open 800 at Stawell. How can the winner, an established athlete run 2.4 seconds below ceiling time. Nothing against the athlete at all but very bad handicapping

The women’s 800 was even worse. 5 seconds below ceiling time for the winner and that was after she was pulled 16m for the final.

The women's 800 was a shocker. There were quite a few blow outs, and nothing against the athletes running off the marks they are given but I think Stewards should be a bit harsher during the season to try and avoid these situations at Stawell. I think there were definitely opportunities to make some amendments along the way but then also hindsight is a wonderful thing.

70m men was stupid too. Piss taking at its finest

And the 200. 20.2 after having 5 runs and celebrating winning the gift. Blind Freddie could see 15m was a stupid mark. Might have gone 19 high fresh

George Dubya wrote:The Distance handicapper threw out generous lifts all season and got his pants pulled down in the open 800 at Stawell. How can the winner, an established athlete run 2.4 seconds below ceiling time. Nothing against the athlete at all but very bad handicapping

The women’s 800 was even worse. 5 seconds below ceiling time for the winner and that was after she was pulled 16m for the final.

The same open 800m athlete who posted a 1:51 at ballarat off 90m to claim the win, then proceeds to run 1:59 off 84m at docklands and a 1:58 off 84m at Hastings. Gets 6m lift back to 90m for stawell and bombs at 1.47 winning time.

All credit to the athlete for running off what he was given, but time for the distance handicapper to call it time on his days as a handicapper. Better suited to spectating.

Very surprising to see J Lugo getting a lift after 2 NAP's at Maribyrnong and Parkdale. Would've won regardless if he had 6.75 or 7 though, either way I'm confused as to how he received a lift after those two performances.

Ed was always going to run quick once he got himself back in shape, he trained hard and was back to his career best at Stawell. Good on him for having a crack at both events.

The Batman would rather see a winner at Stawell that won during the season and showed form then to not try all year and then try at Easter like Sabbatucci did, he did a 1.55 all year then to pull a 1.51 and if the wind wasn’t there it would have been quicker, that kind of pro run should have seen him sent straight to Arkham Asylum. So would you rather the handicap rewards the good guy or the bad guy !!!!

While we are on the topic of handicaps , I thought the 3200 invitational as a specticle was pretty ordinary.
As boring as all hell watching it on live stream.
Full marks to the blokes in grey , they never let the coloured runners have a sniff.
Would have been nice to see the coloured runners coming through in the last lap, but they had no chance.
The RED ran 8.19 off the peg and couldnt get into the race.
But how good was the live stream, slow motion replays, photo finshes, if the live stream is always going to be that good why would you want to go.

Never let stats get in the way of a good story Batman.

Let's look at the Ballarat 800 Final to Stawell 800 final:

- Brennan 1:55.231 > 1:150.165. 5.066s time drop
- Sabbatucci 1:54.116 > 1:50.224 3.886s time drop
- Antidormi 1:51.408 > 1:47.659. 3.749s time drop
- Anderson 1:54.136 > 1:52.315 1.821s time drop

Brennan and Antidormi given full 6m discretionary lifts into Stawell. Antidormi lifted after having the fastest win for the season. Did Mr Handicapper have some money on him at the bookies? Could see the win a mile away.

Don't get me started on the 550m winner too. Well established college runner with 20m in the 400m AND 800m....given 25m in the 550m.

I'm still scratching my head over the thought process behind these novice marks and discretionary lifts.

Dmac maybe you should volunteer your knowledge becoming a handicapper or steward . I am sure the VAL will make you welcome.