Should there be an onus on trainers to send out horses reasonably fit or did the argument for barrier trials for horses returning from rests receive further impetus at Scottsville today? It was a tough afternoon for trainer Charles Laird who sent out horses that ran stone last in the fourth, fifth and sixth races.
The Laird horses were all returning from rests of sorts, but were all dead in the water in the final 300m of their races. An excuse was made for Indaba My Children, who had apparently injured his mouth. Stern Line (started 9-2 and ran off 63 day rest), Indaba My Children( started 15-10 and ran off 89 day rest) and Tennessee Strategy ( started 7-1 and 224 day rest) all ran dismal races.
In this information age, punters are well informed on paper of all the input required to make an intelligent informed assessment but the reality is that the actual state of fitness and readiness of any rested runner remains guesswork for those not in the know.
There were good things though on the sunny Scottsville Sunday afternoon.
Mike De Kock and stable jockey Anthony Delpech bagged a great double.
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum’s 3yo Rock Of Gibraltar filly was an emphatically easy winner of the third race, a Maiden Plate over 1600m. Delpech brought her across from her wide draw and she tracked the pacemaking Campanologist before pouncing at the 300m. This was her second start after a good 1200m second on debut, and she looks a promising sort – although she beat little of note.
De Kock and Delpech were back in the winner’s box in the fifth race, a Graduation Plate over 1500m.
In a bizarre breakdown in communication in the build-up to this race, commentator Craig Peters made the observation that ‘Silver Age is back in the parade –ring’. We then made the assumption that the 12-1 shot was scratched and punters were left guessing as the field loaded. Not good enough and ultimately the tote loses out on refunds for bets – besides the backers of the fancied horses who faced deductions.
The winner here was the grey Go Deputy gelding Mozart’s Giovanni who caught the pacesetter Amber Orchid in the final strides to win going away. Mozart’s Giovanni has won 2 from 7 for 3 places and stakes of R111 000. He was bred by and races in the Lammerskraal silks out of the five-time winning Winter Serenade.
Legendary former Cape trainer Peter Kannemeyer preached many pearls of wisdom, and one of those life’s lessons for trainers was never to run two horses in a race that you expect to win. That is if one can avoid that scenario. This hoodoo came up to haunt punters and trainer Dennis Drier in the second race, a Maiden Plate run over 1000m. The stable sent out the way overdue 3-10 favourite Lord Al under Sean Cormack, but had to watch in horror as apprentice Keagan De Melo coaxed extra from the 12-1 shot Andreas, who was returning from a 58 day rest to score a surprise 1,25 length win.
Andreas cost just R65 000 at the National Two Year Old Sale and was bred by Rob and Michelle Pickering, whose lives were sadly devastated by a fire at their Middlefield Stud recently. The winner is by Lithuanian out of the one-time winning Count Dubois mare, Countess Andora.
The Alec Laird yard have been in great form in KZN and they celebrated a smart double with the Bosworth Farm-bred debutante Queen Of The Sky winning the first and Sidestep knocking Jackpot and Pick 6 punters in the sixth. Stuart Randolph rode both.
Queen Of The Sky is a daughter of Dynasty out of the Habub mare, Fly High and cost R350 000 on the National Two Year Old Sale.
Sidestep showed guts to win what looked like a too sharp MR 98 Handicap over 1000m, getting up to beat Cool Spender and the game 3yo My Jelly Bean. Jagerbomb and My Jelly Bean had shown good early pace.
Mike Miller and Corne Orffer closed the eight-race programme with the Scott Brothers –bred 25-1 shot Miesque’s Wonder winning the MR 68 Handicap over 1400m with a late flourish. The 4yo gelding was having his 15th run and has only previously won once and been placed once. He looks like he is maturing nicely and may be worth following
Its not only Laird, but it is a good point. We may as well play the lotto. The below-par runs also mess up the collateral formlines and merit ratings. What do the stipes comment – or is that asking too much??!
Its more than a good point. That’s the absolute to the punter. Why even buy form guides if they have info which is meaningless?? Not that its the only ‘ fraud ‘ in racing. Jockey’s time and time again don’t bother riding their horses out to the line. Mainly because they can see they won’t have a chance running a place. Instead of finishing 5 l off winner it becomes 15 l back.That does wonders for your form lines.
Sporting Post helps a bit, comparing the ‘actual ability’ rating and the rating achieved for that run but other factors tend to cloud the issue. Pace,going etc etc
Then we have the ‘wonderful’ stipes. LMFAO!!! What a waste of time! When last have you seen an inquiry into the improved running of a horse. Horses improve out of all proportion every race meeting and then you get trainers with comments like ” You can’t blame the horse blame the track” (on teletrack after a recent R136 win, R20 place winner on Sat 18/08/2012).
The horse never came closer than 3rd last in 5 runs. (2, stone last)
Even he felt obliged to comment. Stipes must have been having lunch that race. No inquiry as usual.
How many trainers make the comment that their horse is only out for experience. What about running horses over sprints when its obvious on breeding it needs further. Most times we the punter are informed through teletrack presenters that the trainer thinks so. In both cases isn’t that the same as jockey not giving the horse every possible chance to win ??
He gets punished for it or should be at least according to regulations.
Sure as hell same result for punter.
Not to mention those who make the ‘experience’ or ‘ needs further’ comment and then the horse shortens in betting and goes very close paying healthy dividends.
Either they lying or as trainers, don’t know how good their own horse is. (Dumb or dishonest who knows ??)
Someone knew because the horse shortened.
Insider trading ??
We will then have ” The poor owner or trainer who pays the fees” comment emerging.
That’s a good point only if we cut the tote to 10% to cover the running costs instead of normal 25% and the trainers can find other “mugs” for their stakes.
Why must the punter keep losing ??
Barrier trials in Hong Kong solve the problem. It did here too until it was scrapped.
I wonder who proposed the idea to scrap it ??
Also heavy penalties for not riding a horse out or failing to give a horse every chance to win.
It is very seldom that you see long priced first timers or horses that come of long break winning there.
In any business, insider trading is not acceptable, except in racing.
South Africa wants to play on the world stage but but can’t conform to 1st world racing
regulations.
I think it’s time, the people paid to ‘police’ racing, start doing their job.
Disgruntled Punter