Interview with Mick's Heroes in One Trainer, Ten Questions http://forums.raceclubs.com/Posts.aspx?fid=38&tid=286322&iv=y

One Trainer Ten Questions - Mick's Heroes

Mick's Heroes hasn't been at RaceClubs.com very long, joining on 2nd February 2010 he has already shown the patience and fortitude to become a success. Working to a very tight budget Mick has steadily built a stable of winners, with twenty-five horses currently carrying the colours day-to-day, not only is the stable growing, the quality of horse that board at the yard gets better week in week out. With over fifty graded wins already to his name and the additional rated runners that regularly blitzed their opposition, it's more than a formality that Mick will only go from strength to strength as his virtual career progresses. His achievement so far and the pleasantness of the man prompted a visit from myself as I felt it apt for the community and myself to get to know a little more of the Lincolnshire based trainer.

What prompted you to become a member of the virtual racing fraternity? 

I first discovered virtual racing on the Attheraces website. I've been interested in horse racing for many years and I've always been keen on any kind of strategy game, so virtual racing seemed tailor made for me. 

Throughout the sands of time, which horse do you hold as the greatest horse of all and why? 

Wow, that’s a difficult question. There have been so many greats over the years. If I've got to pick just one horse then I guess it's got to be a horse that's achieved something that will never be repeated and in this respect it has to be Red Rum. Firstly, his exploits in the Grand National ignite fond memories. The National is one of the toughest races in the world, if not the toughest and it requires a special kind of horse to win it. To win it is a real achievement. To win it twice is phenomenal but to do what Red Rum did and win it three times is nothing short of miraculous. Nowadays the fences in the race are considerably easier than in Rummy's day but even so I don’t think his record in the race, which also included twice finishing runner-up, will ever be equalled. 

What would you consider your single favoured achievement so far, here at RaceClubs.com? 

I've not really achieved much as yet but I guess what gives me the most satisfaction would have to be the rated racing success of my Class D stable star, The Mighty Dylan and his two side-kicks Punk Hero and Led Zepp, all three purchased at auction from your good self. These three horses were my first ever purchases in the auction and they are currently the top three money earners in the 2 year old Class D racing list. Ok, they are only Class D's but it’s largely down to them that I’ve been able to expand my stable. 

When building a stable, a lot of patience is required to those who don't have a massive investment to put into the game immediately, how do you plan to maximise the growth of your stable? 

I was looking forward to the start of the new season and I was going to try and emulate this season's achievement in the rated racing sphere but with doubts about the future of rated racing I may have to have a rethink on my long term strategy. 

Is there anything about RaceClubs.com you dislike? 

I guess the current uncertainty within the game is the major concern at the moment but hopefully come 4th July it will be possible to make long term plans. One of my main dislikes with the actual game itself is the infamous jockey random. Who hasn't had a moan about this at some time or other? When I first started playing the game the jockey random almost made me give the game up. I realise the jockey random is an essential part of the game and I don't want to see it go but I honestly feel that its effectiveness should be toned down a degree or two. I'm slowly beginning to learn to live with it but I do see it as an area of the game that could be improved (along with the race programme, but that’s another story). 

As a relative newcomer to the game, how are you finding the learning process? 

In my early days I found all the different types of races very confusing. I think the help menu could be improved considerably although, in view of the complexity of the game, I wouldn't like to be charged with the task of re-writing the help menu. 

The forums are generally a friendly, happy place, who would you say has been a great help to you? 

There are numerous members who have helped me along the way and I've always been very surprised at just how helpful they can be, especially when you consider that the people they are helping are their rivals of the future. If I had to single out one player who really helped me get to grips with the game in the early days then it would have to be Chypmunk without any shadow of a doubt. Nothing was ever too much trouble for him and I'm sure he really enjoyed helping all the newbie’s. It's a great loss to the community that he's no longer on the forums. 

If you could win a race with a real horse, which race would it be? 

You might be surprised to hear that it's not the Gold Cup, it's not the Grand National, and it’s not even a Group race. I'm a lover of the big field sprint handicaps so for me it would have to be the Stewards Cup. I know this type of race is most punters nightmares but I enjoy such a challenge. I'll never forget the 1995 race won by Shikari's Son at 40-1. I backed it in a couple of bets and when I went into my local bookies to collect, I handed over my betting slips and as the manageress took them from me she remarked "Oh, we only had two people back Shikari's Son" and then as she checked the slips she added "and you are both of them!" 

When you go to bed at night, are you still thinking about what races to aim your horses at? 

I do occasionally think about the game when I go to bed but also tend to daydream about it while I'm working. Not so much about which races to aim my horses at, more about how to take my stable forward and how the game could be improved. 

Who will win the World Cup? 

I don’t think you can ever discount Brazil and I think Holland will be the best of the European teams. I know France and Italy are on their way home but those were my thoughts before the tournament started. England? No comment! 

Well I have to say it was a pleasure doing an interview with Mick and I am so glad that three Grade Three horses I decided to part with have served your stable so well and you got them cheap! It's great to catch up with a new player who I had dealings with early on in the season and check their profile and see the success they are receiving due to their hard work and commitment to the cause. Learning all aspects has been a trait of Mick's since he joined and many players have commented on his professional and polite manner. I'd like to wish Mick all the luck deserving of a new trainer who in my opinion is destined for greater things!

Posted via email from Raceclubs.com