Train Routes

Punters are in for a busy time of it in September as the Flat racing season moves swiftly into its autumn phase starting with the William Hill Sprint Cup, a Group1 contest over six furlongs at Haydock on Saturday September 2.

Class has traditionally been the defining factor in this well-contested sprint course and it’s therefore no surprise to see horses that have run well in the Group1 July Cup featuring again over the sharp six furlongs at the Lancashire course.

Weather permitting, the imperious Iffaaj should take all the beating if he turns out at the Lancashire course after an unlucky second to Les Arcs in the July Cup. Arguably the best sprinter in Europe right now, the Godolphin-trained colt won’t want the ground too soft if he’s to turn out at the Lancashire course.

In his absence the Jeremy Noseda-trained Soldier’s Tale would hold strong claims. He is less ground dependent than Iffraaj and after a lengthy absence his connections are hopeful that she can return to the fray in winning form at Haydock Park. Nunthorpe hero Reverence is another to consider if he can harness his sublime talents to the longer trip.

If it’s September then racing’s rolling caravan must be in Yorkshire for the St Leger, the world’s oldest classic which normally takes place at Doncaster. This time around the latter venue is being thankfully re-built at enormous cost and as a consequence the Leger meeting has been shoe-horned into two days at York – September 8 and 9 – instead of the usual four days.

This is no bad thing given the dodgy state of the ground on the Knavesmire and it will be relief when racing returns at Doncaster for 2008. Staged over a mile and six furlongs, the St Leger calls for stamina, courage and class in a prospective winner. A select field of eight or nine are likely to go to post and the hot favourite, Sixties Icon holds strong claims.

He’s looked a class apart from most of his rivals when waltzing away with the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood last time, a race which is an acknowledged trial for the St Leger. Of the rest, the Mick Channon-trained Youmzain showed fine speed to land the Great Voltigeur Stakes at the Ebor meeting but that piece of form doesn’t looks as strong as the Goodwood success of Sixties Icon.

The Tote Portland Handicap on September 8 is the big handicap race of the truncated Leger fixture and could go the way of the Stuart Williams-trained Hogmaneigh, an easy winner at Sandown last time who could well take in this race en route to a crack at the Ayr Gold Cup later in the month. Anna Pavlova is also a name to look out for in the Park Hill Stakes, a Group race for fillies on the same day.

Over at Leopardstown on September 9 the Baileys Irish Champion Stakes takes place at Leopardstown, and is one of the better clashes of the generations run over a mile and half all season. This time around all eyes will be upon Dylan Thomas as he bids to put a dreadful effort in the Juddmonte International at York behind him over a course that he has won over previously.

The following week racing heads north of the border or the three fine days of the Ayr Western Meeting and the Ayr Gold Cup, the richest spring handicap in Europe is the feature on Saturday September 16.

This year’s race, which has been landed in four out of the past five seasons by trainer Dandy Nicholls, features not one runner from the Nicholls yard after an administrative error meant that no horse from the stable was entered for the great spring contest. The air must surely have turned the deepest blue above the Nicholls yard on the day this blunder was discovered.

Still northern trainers, who tend to do better in this race than their southern counterparts, will be gunning to secure the valuable prize once again with Stewards’ Cup hero, Borderlescott sure to be among the leading fancies while Kevin Ryan’s Mutamared holds good claims and Ian Semple’s Scottish raider, Appalachian Trail is another for the short-list. Remember too that is a poor race for three-year-olds who often struggle in the large fields against their more experienced and older rivals.

On a cracking day’s racing Leopardstown also stages the Irish St Leger, the only classic run outside of Britain this month and this should provide the fast-improving stayer Yeats with a golden opportunity to add to his Ascot and Goodwood Cup successes. It’s had to see any horse being god enough to lower this one’s colours.

On September 23 it’s the chance for the top milers to strut their stuff in the Group1 Queen Elizabeth 11 Stakes at the newly re-vamped Ascot. George Washington’s eclipse at the hands of the workmanlike Caradak in a muddling Celebration Mile at Goodwood represented the low point of three-year-old fortunes against the older horses and it will
Be interesting to see whether the 2,000 Guineas hero can come good again in the Ascot showpiece.

This year’s classic generation has been wretched in competition with their elders and the Godolphin team will be hopeful of landing a fourth Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the past decade with their fast-improving Deauville winner, Librettist. A multiple winner this season, he should again go well now that he’s shown he can cut it at the top level.

Newmarket is the final port of call in September for three days of the Cambridgeshire meeting on the Rowley Mile. Those keen to glean further Classic clues for 2007 will be hoping that Jeremy Noseda’s star filly Sander Camillo turns up for the Cheveley Park Stakes for two-year-old fillies on September 28 while a day later the Prix Morny winner Dutch Art might will most likely be in action with the juvenile colts for the Middle Park Stakes. Whatever the final nature of the fields for races, the outcome of both contests could well have a significant bearing upon next season’s spring Classics.

A cracking months’ racing comes to an exiting close with the totesport Cambridgeshire on September 30 and there can be no better handicap run all season than this one mile and a furlong contest. Recent York winner Smart Enough looks a likely sort as does his fellow three-year-old Sir Gerard while of the older generation Fairmile makes plenty of appeal after a luckless defeat at Haydock in August.

Currently in the UK, most companies would struggle were it not for support workers solving problems with PC’s and networks, while giving advice to users on a regular basis each week. Industry’s need for better skilled and qualified individuals multiplies, as we become ever more dependent on PC’s in the twenty first century. Commencing with the idea that we have to choose the job we want to do first and foremost, before we’re even able to consider which training program meets that requirement, how are we supposed to find the correct route? As having no commercial skills in computing, how could any of us know what a particular job actually consists of? The key to answering this question properly flows from a full chat, covering several areas: * Which type of person you consider yourself to be – the tasks that you really enjoy, and don’t forget – what you definitely don’t enjoy. * Is it your desire to reach a closely held goal – like working for yourself sometime soon?* How highly do you rate salary – is it the most important thing, or does job satisfaction rate a lot higher on the scale of your priorities? * Considering all that computing encapsulates, you really need to be able to absorb what is different.* It’s wise to spend some time thinking about what kind of effort and commitment that you will set aside for the accreditation program. In all honesty, it’s obvious that the only real way to gain help on these matters tends to be through a good talk with an advisor or professional that has a background in the IT industry (and more importantly the commercial needs and requirements.) Many people question why academic qualifications are less in demand than the more commercial certifications? Key company training (in industry terminology) is far more specialised and product-specific. Industry has become aware that such specialised knowledge is essential to handle a technically advancing workplace. Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe are the dominant players. Of course, a necessary portion of closely linked knowledge needs to be covered, but focused specialised knowledge in the exact job role gives a commercially educated student a massive advantage. In simple terms: Accredited IT qualifications let employers know exactly what you’re capable of – the title is a complete giveaway: for example, I am a ‘Microsoft Certified Professional’ in ‘Planning and Maintaining a Windows 2003 Infrastructure’. Therefore companies can identify just what their needs are and which qualifications will be suitable to deal with those needs. Any program that you’re going to undertake must provide a nationally (or globally) recognised exam at the finale – and not some unimportant ‘in-house’ piece of paper. Unless your qualification is issued by a major player like Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA or Adobe, then chances are it will be commercially useless – as it’ll be an unknown commodity. Far too many companies only concern themselves with gaining a certificate, and forget why you’re doing this – which is of course employment. Always begin with the end goal – don’t make the vehicle more important than the destination. It’s possible, in many cases, to thoroughly enjoy one year of training but end up spending 10 or 20 years in a tiresome job role, entirely because you stumbled into it without some decent due-diligence at the beginning. Be honest with yourself about how much you want to earn and what level of ambition fits you. This will influence which precise qualifications will be expected and what you can expect to give industry in return. Talk to a professional advisor that knows about the sector you’re looking at, and who can give you a detailed run-down of the kind of things you’ll be doing on a daily basis. Establishing this before starting out on a study program will prevent a lot of wasted time and effort.

Should you be doing a search for Microsoft authorised training, you’ll obviously be expecting training organisations to offer a large selection of the finest learning programmes to be had. Additionally you might like to talk in detail on the sort of careers you might go for when you’ve finished studying, and the type of individual that work could suit. Most students like to discuss what they might be good at. Having selected the career path you want, an applicable training course must be singled out that’s reflects your current skills and aptitude. You should expect to be offered a bespoke package for you as an individual. Accredited simulation materials and exam preparation packages are vital – and must be sought from your course provider. Confirm that the simulated exams are not only asking questions on the right subjects, but also asking them in the way that the actual final exam will pose them. This really messes up trainees if they’re met with completely different formats and phraseologies. Be sure to ask for testing modules that will allow you to verify your knowledge at any point. Practice exams will help to boost your attitude – so you’re much more at ease with the real thing. Look at the points below and pay great regard to them if you think the marketing blurb about an ‘Exam Guarantee’ sounds great value: In this day and age, we have to be a little more ‘marketing-savvy’ – and the majority of us ought to cotton on to the fact that we’re actually paying for it (it isn’t free or out of the goodness of their hearts!) Trainees who go in for their examinations when it’s appropriate, paying for them just before taking them are much better placed to get through first time. They are thoughtful of what they’ve paid and prepare more appropriately to be ready for the task. Isn’t it outrageous to have to pay your college up-front for examination fees? Hold on to your money and pay for the exam at the appropriate time, instead of paying any mark-up – and sit exams more locally – not at somewhere of their bidding. What’s the point in paying early for examination fees when you don’t need to? A great deal of money is made because training colleges are charging all their exam fees up-front – and then cashing in when they’re not all taken. Re-takes of any failed exams via companies who offer an ‘Exam Guarantee’ inevitably are heavily regulated. They will insist that you take pre-tests first till you’ve proven conclusively that you can pass. Average exam fees were 112 pounds or thereabouts twelve months or so ago when taken at Prometric or VUE centres around the United Kingdom. So don’t be talked into shelling out hundreds or thousands of pounds more to have ‘an Exam Guarantee’, when it’s no secret that the responsible approach is a regular, committed, study programme, with an accredited exam preparation system. Trainees hoping to kick off a career in IT usually haven’t a clue which route is best, or even which market to achieve their certification in. After all, if you’ve got no understanding of the IT sector, how are you equipped to know what someone in a particular field does each day? Let alone decide on which educational path provides the best chances for you to get there. Generally, the way to deal with this problem appropriately stems from a full discussion of a variety of topics: * Your individual personality and interests – the sort of work-centred jobs you enjoy or dislike. * Are you aiming to pull off a closely held objective – like becoming self-employed sometime soon?* How important is salary to you – is it of prime importance, or is enjoying your job a lot higher on your priority-list? * When taking into account all that Information Technology encapsulates, you really need to be able to see what’s different.* You should also think long and hard about any sacrifices you’ll need to make, as well as what commitment and time you’ll put into your education. To bypass all the jargon and confusion, and uncover the most viable option for your success, have an informal chat with an industry expert and advisor; someone that will cover the commercial realities and truth as well as each certification. A fatal Faux-Pas that we encounter all too often is to focus entirely on getting a qualification, and take their eye off the desired end-result. Training academies are brimming over with direction-less students that chose an ‘interesting’ course – instead of the program that would surely get them the career they desired. Avoid becoming one of those unfortunate students who choose a training program which looks like it could be fun – and end up with a plaque on the wall for something they’ll never enjoy. You must also consider your leanings around career development, earning potential, plus your level of ambition. It makes sense to understand what industry expects from you, what qualifications will be required and how you’ll gain real-world experience. The best advice for students is to speak to an experienced advisor before following a particular retraining course. This is required to ensure it has the required elements for that career path.

Does an MCSE appeal to you? If so, it’s probable that you’re probably in 1 of 2 situations: You’re currently an IT professional and you’d like to gain accreditation with an MCSE certification. In contrast you could be completely new to the IT environment, and you’ve discovered there’s a huge demand for those with appropriate certifications. Be sure you confirm that your training company is definitely teaching with the latest version from Microsoft. Many trainees are left in a mess when they find that they’ve been studying for an outdated MCSE program which will require an up-date. Look out for computer training companies who’re just trying to sell you something. Realise that buying training to get an MCSE is similar to buying a car. They’re very diverse; some are reliable and will get you there in comfort, whilst others will constantly let you down. A good company will offer you time, expertise and advice to make sure a course is right for you. When providers are proud of their courses, you’ll be able to see a sample of what you’re getting prior to registering. Many people question why traditional academic studies are less in demand than the more commercial qualifications? With 3 and 4 year academic degree costs increasing year on year, along with the industry’s general opinion that vendor-based training often has more relevance in the commercial field, there has been a large rise in Adobe, Microsoft, CISCO and CompTIA certified training courses that create knowledgeable employees for considerably less. University courses, as a example, often get bogged down in too much loosely associated study – with a syllabus that’s far too wide. Students are then prevented from learning the core essentials in sufficient depth. It’s a bit like the TV advert: ‘It does what it says on the tin’. Companies need only to know what they need doing, and then match up the appropriate exam numbers as a requirement. Then they’re assured that a potential employee can do exactly what’s required. Many trainers will provide a useful Job Placement Assistance facility, to assist your search for your first position. The need for this feature can be bigged up out of proportion though – it’s quite easy for training companies to overstate it’s need. At the end of the day, the need for well trained IT people in Britain is what will make you attractive to employers. CV and Interview advice and support might be provided (if it isn’t, consult one of our sites). Ensure you polish up your CV right away – don’t wait until you’ve finished your exams! Being considered a ‘maybe’ is more than not being known. A decent number of junior jobs are bagged by students who are still at an early stage in their studies. Most often, an independent and specialised local employment agency (who will get paid commission to place you) will be more pro-active than a sector of a centralised training facility. It also stands to reason that they’ll be familiar with the area and local employers better. In a nutshell, if you put the same amount of effort into getting a position as into studying, you’re not going to hit many challenges. A number of people inexplicably put hundreds of hours into their training and studies and do nothing more once certified and appear to be under the impression that jobs will come to them. Can job security truly exist anymore? Here in the UK, where business constantly changes its mind on a whim, it certainly appears not. In times of rising skills deficits and rising demand of course, we often locate a new kind of security in the marketplace; driven forward by a continual growth, companies are struggling to hire enough staff. Investigating the computer industry, a key e-Skills study brought to light a twenty six percent skills deficit. Therefore, for each 4 job positions in existence across computing, employers are only able to locate certified professionals for 3 of them. Gaining proper commercial IT certification is correspondingly an effective route to succeed in a long-lasting and pleasing profession. In actuality, acquiring professional IT skills over the next few years is almost definitely the greatest choice of careers you could make. A sneaky way that course providers make more money is via an ‘exam inclusive’ package and then including an ‘Exam Guarantee’. This looks like a great idea for the student, until you think it through: Of course it’s not free – you are paying for it – it’s just been included in your package price. It’s everybody’s ambition to qualify on the first attempt. Entering examinations when it’s appropriate and funding them one at a time makes it far more likely you’ll pass first time – you prepare appropriately and are mindful of the investment you’ve made. Isn’t it outrageous to have to pay your training company up-front for examination fees? Hold on to your money and pay for the exam at the appropriate time, don’t pay mark-ups – and sit exams more locally – rather than possibly hours away from your area. A surprising number of questionable training providers secure a great deal of profit by getting in the money for exam fees early and hoping you won’t see them all through. Remember, in the majority of cases of ‘exam guarantees’ – the company decides when you can do your re-takes. They’ll only allow a re-take once completely satisfied. Exam fees averaged approximately 112 pounds in the last 12 months through local VUE or Pro-metric centres throughout the country. So what’s the point of paying maybe a thousand pounds extra for ‘an Exam Guarantee’, when any student knows that the best guarantee is a regular, committed, study programme, with an accredited exam preparation system.