Overseas Raiders

* Most racing enthusiasts recognise the high quality of thoroughbreds imported from the UK, Ireland and Europe. They run rings around our local stayers. But, the current trickle of horses from Hong Kong and Japan offers a different dimension, one that may be especially potent in our mile to middle distance classics. I suspect that the frenetic nature of Asian racing offers an advantage to those horses, who, contesting the speed over there, find our more gentle early tempos to their distinct liking. Beware the on-pace Asian tigers. *Racing NSW is charged by Act of State Parliament with nurturing the public interest in Horseracing. The interesting question is whether the current approach of attracting the public to a party attached to a horse racing event fulfils that obligation? May I suggest a more cerebral approach might be ventured. The mysteries of "the form" are engaging, intriguing and most importantly sustaining, long after the party is over.