Stop taking things to heart Beefy, this forum has become far to nice these days. Nothing wrong with abit of my horse is better than yours banter. Free Eagle got lucky in the POW, with the Grey getting boxed in. He beat Western Hym just under 3 lentghs, and that horse was beaten 8 today. So he's along way off what is required to compete with the big boys this season, and that will be proven next time he runs. And yes I will laugh when it happens. But if a miracle happens and I'm wrong il take the stick il likely get on the chin
The Great Gatsby was very unlucky. He had a monster of a run yesterday and people can't be blamed for thinking that it just might take it's toll on him. That said, his effort behind the "Horn" was brilliant. I swear he might have just managed to go a lip clear on one or two occasions. Frankie is saying that the winner is as good a horse as he's ridden. Big wrap.
The Grey Gatsby is a very good racehorse, all the more credit to Golden Horn, who didn't trap too well either but still managed to grab the lead. As the commentator said, I think GH wondered what the hell was going on and where was everybody? But, as I have said many times, front-running is often a good thing to do at Sandown Park, and there's none better than Frankie at that.
Has anybody pointed out how much weight Gatsby was giving Golden Horn? Another example yesterday of how racing shoots itself in the foot. Hundreds gathered around the pre parade ring to see the Derby winner but the Gosden pair skipped the preliminaries and went straight to the paddock. Poor show imho.
Weight for age has not changed in a couple of decades, so The Grey Gatsby was giving Golden Horn just as much weight as Notnowcato gave Authorized when he beat him in 2007. July is the time of the year when weight for age starts to favour the three year olds as they develop. It was rather evident that the two Gosden horses were going to avoid the pre-parade ring when the other three runners were in there fifteen minutes before the race (as were there connections) but there was no sign of Gosden. The pre-race parade for the Eclipse is a complete waste of time unless you are in the Premier Enclosure as they only come down the track as far as the winning post and then canter to post without passing us Chavs in the Grandstand.
Can I ask what is the purpose of parading the horses before races? Is it just to give punters the chance to see the horses they've been betting on or do some punters actually bet on a horse depending on how it looks? What's the official reason? Or isn't there one and it's just a tradition that's always been done?
The best horse I ever seen in the parade ring, was a horse called Windsor Palace who AOB used to train about 6-7 years ago. I think he only won a couple of races in 20+ starts, and was eventually just used as a pacemaker for his better horses. But if you weren't told anything about the form of any of the horses in the ring before a race and you seen him, you'd instantly assume he was the best. That's why I don't take to much notice, as looks are often deceiving with race horses
I always thought that the Parade Ring was the place to go and see whether the beast had a leg in all four corners and a shiny coat or was sweating like a lawn-sprinkler. Most punters do not care as they just go from the bar to the bookies and back all afternoon. Quite a lot of trainers do not like parades where they walk around and then are released to the start. That is why you often see Aidan O’Brien’s horses break from those parades early. Other times – like Newmarket for both the Guineas – the ‘parade’ is actually the horses being released onto the course to canter to post in racecard order. I think that would be a more sensible approach at Sandown, although they would have to go the whole ten furlongs to the start rather than go three furlongs around the back turn.
I always look at the horses in the parade ring when I can - there is so much info avaiable if you know what to look for!! A healthy horse has a gleaming coat, an eager eye and a relaxed, long stride. A horse fit for racing will also be on the lean side. An overweight horse will appear heavier in the barrel (rib cage) and thicker from behind. Tail swishing and stomping is a sign of irritation or disrespect. A horse that constantly does this with everyone in the ring may be a challenge under saddle. A horse that is dancing is “on the muscle,” eager to get on with the race –and often a good bet. Pinned ears and whites of the eyes showing can be either a sign of irritation or anger. If the horse doesn’t relax when the jockey mounts, the horse may be difficult at the post or once the race begins. Sweating - A little bit of glisten can just indicate the horse is ready to go. Heavy sweating, however, means the horse is nervous. Unless this horse is new to racing, it’s not a good bet imo. Same with mouth foam (unless a tongue tie is fitted).
I always thought that the sole point of the paddock was so that those inside could sneer at those outside it and those outside it could sneer at those inside it.
Never one to look at the parade ring, not sure it gives much information as we don't know the horses personality at home. A horse could be warm but that could be normal, they could look overweight but again I'm sure some horses out weigh others just as humans do
