Re: Thoroughbred Horse Racing [Merged]
Leysy Days said:
Absolutely huge to happen so late in a race of that betting magnitude.
Some wont need to work again.
Yeah it did. Arnold probably had to let him go a bit early to get him there. Your right though the winner was very strong on the line though.
I've only seen the run once, but it was a phenomenal effort by Star Witness :thumbsup. Stevie was at him the whole way, as I suppose you have to be when you miss the start that badly over the shortcourse. Honestly, I expected Steve to miss the start and then experience piloting issues (despite being well drawn)... but that was only half correct.
The thing that just astounds me is how "soft hands" stevie is given the gig. The bloke should be notorious for being slow out of the gates, but escapes scrutiny due to his "beautiful" technique and balance. AND he won't take a gap. Terrified.
Star Witness is a notorious rogue, regularly doesn't rock up, or wins while *smile* around on pure talent. Soft Hands has ridden him only once previously, and he got beaten that day by Enjin Number Nine.
If they were desperate for a bloke that had ridden him, Nick Hall got him over the line despite his immaturity in his first 3 starts, culminating in G1 success in the Blue Diamond. Froggy has dealt with talented rogue juveniles before (Snitzel) and stood over them to get them at their best, the whip rules have hurt him, but he can't be accused of lacking vigour... If they were desperate for an Australian jockey who had won over there, Froggy had better credentials. Jay Ford struggles to get the plum rides at Wyong on Saturday, but Takeover Target pulled like a train and was hardly a sit and steer. If they wanted the best of the best, I'm sure Nash would've loved to take the ride. If they wanted
the up and comer, I'm sure Ben Melham would've got the job done. If they wanted seniority and poise from a bloke who isn't over the hill, I think Mick Rodd's entitled to a call despite not being in the form of his breakout years in 06 and 07. This Arnold bloke should be way down the pecking order. Way, way down.
Star Witness is an entire, who has been guilty of just about every bad racing habit a horse can have. Green? Yep. Pulls? Yep. Bad barrier behaviour? Yep. Arnold risks his livelihood with injury more than any other senior jockey in the country, because he's 180cm. If he's on the sidelines, even slightly incapacitated, he is far less likely to get back into it than his colleagues. He's in his 30s, and has a family. You want your 10 million dollar rogue to become a $50 million dollar sprinting sensation? Put on a bloke who's got the fire and the talent. And if that bloke gets off and says "he was fractious in the gates, he cost himself the race", you'll
know that it couldn't be avoided.
Leysy Days said:
How much would Black Caviar destory them by?
Leysy, I think the pertinent question is: "how many do we have down here who would've won the race?" And considering that Star Witness just got beat a neck after bombing the start, I think that there may be five or so here at home who would've *smile* in. Provided Arnold wasn't riding. ;D
