Can't see it happening. Black Caviar is a sprinter, Frankel isn't. Either would have an excuse if beaten so nothing would be proven. BC has only gone beyond 6f once and that was against a very average bunch, none of whom have done anything to boost the form (as far as I can tell). There is no point in a match unless it's a level playground. I'm not holding my breath. The only way either horse could claim to be the super star on the basis of a match would be if the disadvantaged horse won.
Cyc, as racing originally started out as a boasting exercise, "my horse is better than your horse" etc, the first races were usually matches between rival owners. The results were recorded in a "Match Book". A Match Book from the 1770s is kept at the Horseracing Museum in Newmarket, more here: http://www.nhrm.co.uk/Museum_Treasures/Summer_2010.aspx There is still a position at the Jockey Club in the UK of "Keeper of the Match Book", though it is usually held alongside another position. The Keeper has the responsibility of recording the results of any match races that take place during their tenure.
To answer my question about the last race in the Match Book: From Racing Post July 2009 "RESPONSIBILITY for the oldest job in British racing, Keeper of the Match Book, has gone to a female administrator, BHA director of racing Ruth Quinn, for the first time in its 338-year history. The job title, along with those of stakeholder and secretary to the Jockey Club, was created for James Weatherby in 1771, and remained in his family until the death of Simon Weatherby in January 1983, when Christopher Foster took over the mantle. Following Foster's retirement and the Jockey Club's exit from all matters of governance, the current volume of the official record of matches, which starts in 1977, has passed to Quinn. The book's latest entries involve half-bred Klute, whom owner Lesley Bruce reckoned to be the fastest horse in the world. Two attempts to prove the point against Jack Berry-trained sprinters - So Careful at Haydock in August 1988, and Validemosa at Catterick in June 1990 - failed by 25 lengths and eight lengths. Quinn says: "The Match Book is a part of racing's long history and I am honoured to be its latest custodian. "I'd be delighted if someone would throw down the gauntlet, so that I can put something in the book under my name!"
Probably the place most of their filing gets put! Just watched the York racing on C4- or rather the York adverts. Thank goodness for the ff button
Final decs are in, Frankel faces 6 rivals with SO YOU THINK and RED JAZZ the two defectors. I suspect most people in our Fantasy Racing competition will go for the Frankel/Excelebration Exacta!
Who's going on saturday? I may do, gotta plan for my wedding but i'm trying to convince her that we haven't got anything to do saturday.
Yea Saturday at 4.30. I told her to quit worrying as there won't be many leaving the course at 3.30ish so we'll probably get a clear run.
Ah, now that would be magic! My boss is going on a tour of Warren Place next month, I'm going to ask very nicely if I can tag along!
