My idea is relatively simple - prior to the off trainers declare to the stewards the instructions given to the jockey and any other relevent information that might in any way affect how the horse will run. This could be done by a short voice recording ie first run after breathing op - jockey told to go easy in the finish to build back confidence Horse has missed work because of a minor foot problem Horse doesnt like the whip - hands and heels only ride Horse doesnt like being crowded Horse has minor wind issue and running to see whether needs an operation Horse jumps left Horse has issues starting due to an injury Horse hard to get fit without a run Horse heavy and carrying condition The BHA can then build up a database which could then be used as evidence if ever needed. That way the authorities at least have a starting point for any case. You also remove the excuses repeatedly used in enquiries after the race. Similarly authorities can police jockeys who repeatedly ignore instructions (which Stick and I have seen first hand far too often). Its fine for instuctions to be ignored as long as there is good reason for it and this is about having a large sample of information over a long period and for patterns or areas of concern to be raised and investigated. One of my 'feelings' is that jockeys are guilty and profit from it more than trainers. With time this could be developed with certain points disclosed at final declarations or to the public ahead of the start etc. While it wouldnt clean up racing entirely I think it would make life alot harder and act as a deterrant. It also makes jockeys culpable for intentionally bad rides and can be linked into suspicious betting patterns (drifts just before the off) and other inputs to help authorities know who is doing what. Over time im sure patterns would emerge.
Might be simpler to just let the stewards know if they are trying to win. Sometimes the jockey has to use his initiative if things don't go to plan. That could be a problem for some.
What difference would this make? A trainer will just state any excuse prior to a run then and say "ah sure, didn't we warn ya his wind was bad" or "ya's knew he didn't like a crowd", then he can ask his jockey to bury him among the pack and take it easy...the excuse has already been stated and have no worry about it being looked at because they clearly stated it prior. Sounds mad to me. This would lead to increasing levels of abuse imo.
On the jockey thing I feel there is nothing better to say than simply ride it as you see it. A quick call to agent or jockey himself and say have a look at the horses past few runs and see what you reckon. We trust you to do the best on him then. Fills jockey with confidence and the horse will benefit from confident handling. Communication is so effective used in the correct manner. When you see any top jock, they will have their homework done on their mounts, garnered info themselves and are seldom asked to ride a certain way. Maybe it's a different culture across the pond to here though.
Never seen much wrong with the ole starter boy shouting 'Triers to the front, joggers to the back' as there lining up myself
STH. I agree with you if the horse is straight forward. But, I can assure you, that some horses will **** the rider about if he isn't told how to ride them
And what if the horse can't attain the position asked or stumbles slightly or gets squeezed out at a time he was supposed to tuck in??? That's why it's best to fill your jockey with confidence and let him fill in the gaps. He should be aware if the horse has issues but he should also be given the utmost confidence of his riding ability to handle a variety of situations. Can you imagine Willie Mullins asking a jockey to ride a certain way he seems to do ok with his jockeys using the method.
Actually, many of The Don's suggestions are damned good ones. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. People who keep the sport alive must have a say in improving the status quo. The elite who run horseracing are not Gods, are they hell. Erm, two things The Don might have missed?: Horse jumps right. Horse can't jump.
Reading your reply again you have actually agreed with me. Your follow up comment "He should be aware if the horse has issues" just about covers my point. It is very possible that just watching previous races will not disclose that the horse has issues, due to the fact that the previous rider as aware of them and knew how to handle them. In such cases, the new rider will need to be made aware. I think you took my words "some horses will **** the rider about if he isn't told how to ride them" to mean how to ride the whole race, which of course isn't what I intended it to mean. My fault for not being clear. PS My opening comment "I can assure you" was not a good start. Sorry
