'They're killing goose that lays golden egg'.

Byline: Rodney Masters

MILTON BRADLEY, who has 15 horses rated 45 or lower, is one trainer who would be affected by the BHA's move to limit opportunities for lower-rated horses and was yesterday, unsurprisingly, unimpressed with the idea, writes Rodney Masters.

He added: "I'm sure other trainers will agree that a sprinter rated 55 can race from a bad draw in three successive races, and then drop to below 45, so what happens then? It's no fault of the horse. I've had lots of horses who were lowly rated and went on to achieve lots of success."

Bradley illustrated his point with Sooty Tern, a miler who was rated 42 at one stage but went on to win 16 races on higher marks, the last of them off 73.

He said: "You have to give the machance, and there is no doubt race goers are far more interested in a competitive handicap than a four-runner conditions race.

"You have to maintain the lower level to keep a proper structure in the sport. I fear the race-planners are killing the goose that lays the golden egg for racing."

Merseyside trainer Peter Grayson, who has eight horses rated 45 or less, said he was disappointed and he questioned whether it would have a damaging effect on Flat handicaps run on the all-weather in the winter.

"It's horses rated below 45 who fill those races and therefore make them interesting for the punters, which in turn keeps the levy turning," he said. "If this decision by the BHA meant an increase in prize-money for everyone, then I'd be in favour, but that isn't going to happen."

CAPTION(S):

Milton Bradley: unimpressed