Angus McNae
Captain’s Blog - Tom Segal is right - Jockeys do matter
21 February 2012
I have a day at home today with my little one before four straight days working for Racing UK. A busy week, but it should be an interesting one given that one of my days working for Racing UK will be a rehearsal day at the new Racing UK studios in Ealing. I am looking forward to our move and it will be good to get a feel for the place this week.
I was very interested to hear Tom Segal on the morning Line give his opinion on the importance of jockeys when it comes to punting and with his words perhaps we can once and forever put to bed the myth that the jockey does not matter very much and that if a horse is good enough it will win whoever is on board. That is palpable nonsense and it was good to hear Tom asserting his view on Saturday. It will not necessarily be a popular view but as I have always stated we must constantly try and improve the intellectual landscape of our game.
It is interesting that Godolphin have taken the decision to aim Gamilati at the 1000 Guineas and in making that decision they have ruled out a bid for the UAE Oaks. She was visually very impressive when beating a poor bunch in the UAE Guineas and I can see why they want to target her at the bigger prize. She has been quoted at about 16/1 and it is hard to evaluate whether this is a fair price, but I for one would not be rushing to take it. Her winning time and Beyer style speed figure in the UAE Guineas was no more than modest and she has plenty to prove at this stage as far as winning at Newmarket in May is concerned. That is the beauty of speed figures they can unveil the truth behind a performance which otherwise would masquerade as something that is not remotely connected to what was actually achieved.
After a great Saturday with two winners we came down to earth with a bump yesterday, in truth I tried to smash the ball out of the park with a 20/1 poke and it got bogged down in the mud at Carlisle, it probably could not run fast enough as well which is more often the reason for defeat in a race than any other. I will attempt to get the ship back on course today.
Time for me to go swimming. Take it easy.
Today’s Selections
2.20 Southwell - Samasana
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Ealing Studios? You’ll have to join ATR for a Passport to Pimlico
keith rance | 3 months ago