The following is a reposting of a piece posted in the past, and dedicated to a people's champion: DESPERATE DAN. Let it be loudly heralded across the fertile, green land that passes for the United Kingdom, that as of today, March 1 will evermore be known in the hearts of all racing aficionados, as Saint Desperate Day. For never in the long, distinguished history of the sport of thoroughbred horse racing, have so few, owed so much to an individual, for such a fantastic return. March 1 2010 will live long in the hearts and minds of anyone who was there that fateful day, when a noble horse by the name of Desperate Dan served up a slice of pure heaven to all who happened to entrusted their faith in this once in a life time steed. The lead up to this momentous performance, reads almost like a work of pure fiction. But who in their right mind could have possibly dreamed up such a mind blowing scenario? The day had started as any other, none could have had an inkling of what was to unfold at beautiful down town Wolverhampton, the home of all that is wonderful about Polytrack racing. Though it must be admitted that some prefer the picturesque Southwell, where Firesand is supreme, to Wolverhampton, but Iâm more than happy to defer to those of that persuasion. Either way, there can be no arguing that both of these fine courses are at the very cutting edge of development, when the discussion turns to the enhancement of the pastime, known throughout the world, as the Sport of Kings. But I digress. This article is not meant to be about two of the finest examples of race courses in the Northern Hemisphere, but an homage to the mercurial, wonder horse, Desperate Dan. Although much has to attributed to the horse, Saint Desperate Day can not have substance without human involvement. First and foremost, The Right Honorable Eez, ex-President of the 606 board, has to take pride of place among us, as it was he who instigated those memorable napping contests between the All Weather Wonders and the National Hunt Handbags. And what a series it turned out to be. The Wonders had led through most of the first Test only to be nobbled on the last day by the dreadful Brain Rotting Ray, inflicted upon them by those despicable, plowmen types at the NH GHQ. The second Test of course, easily went to the better team, the All Weather Wonders. So it was, that after two tests, the series was drawn at 1-1. It has to admitted though, that the AW team, despite the series score, had been much the better side. Fair is fair though. At 1-1, the NH squad might feel that they deserve a small pat on the back, but theyâll not get it here. They can bloody well go and look someplace else. And so it was that the scene was set for the third and final Test. The NH team hit the ground running and made every post a winner during those first four days of the decider. They knew their hearts were weak, and so they decided to try and steal it from the front. The AW team on the other hand, couldnât pick their noses with a shovel, they had nothing to give. Then came that fateful day. The final session of the deciding Test. A time where cool heads can come to the fore, where a master plan can set in train. And what a plan it was. Two of the AW teamâs heavy hitters, Nass and Stick, had put their heads together and come up with an earth shaking plot. It was breath taking in itâs audacity, and all it needed was a loyal following. With Stickâs tub thumping chant of âthereâs no I in teamâ ringing in their ears, the AW lads pledged to take the battle to the gumboot brigade they opposed. With JamesT belting out a heart felt " Itâs better to die on your feet than to live on your knees," the AW side decided to lump it on Desperate Dan. Eez, Stick, *Oldest*, Trev, Nass, Cyc, James, Kippy, Rainer and Cats lobbed it all on the battle hardened warrior. And the NH team? Well, right to the very end, they didnât have a clue. They ran around like headless chooks, not knowing what they were doing or where they were going. In contrast to the well disciplined All Weather team, the National Hunt side proved themselves to be little more than a leaderless rabble, hell bound for oblivion.
God Almighty, another ancient history lesson. You flat-racing jokers just got lucky! Cyclonic, that is not nice and a tad unfair! If my old memory serves me correct, the NH team were left with some remote meeting in Ireland where winner-finding was virtually impossible. Running around like 'headless chooks', what a load of balls! .... (Edited to be a bit more polite, but do cool-off with a nice swim in the Pacific, erm, a mile or two out?).................. please log in to view this image .............. please log in to view this image
Ahhhh Swanny, Swanny Swanny, what more can I say about the race courses of that fateful day, other than Wolverhampton. The name Wolverhampton says it all. That we chose to lump it all on to the wonderfully named Desperate Dan, in desperate circumstances, was a testimony to the collective spirit of the All Weather Wonders. It was that "all for one, one for all spirit" which lifts the mere mundane to glory. That fateful March day, we revelled in our comradery, we exhibited that solidarity that drove men over the trench walls and into the face of whithering gun fire in those dreadful fields of Flanders. The National Hunt rabble thought more about themselves than those who stood next to them in the trenches. They'd spent too much time looking for others to pat them on the back, for the works already done, and as a direct result, failed to even work on a contingency plan. They saw the plans of the All Weather team, but due to a lack of humility, they all but wrote us off. And for their hubris, they laid themselves open to a lifetime of utter humiliation.
Well, alright, can't compete with such beautifully-constructed prose. Quite a few of the NH 'rabble' will be gathering at the great Cheltenham Festival shortly, so I am sure they will 'toast' you at one of the Tatt's bars. In closing, enjoy your swim Cyc, and do give us a quick call on your AW cellphone when you sight Chilean landfall. Good luck! please log in to view this image
