Easy Reach

Grey

Grey

Senior Jockey
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Easy Reach landed a big gamble at Roscommon this evening after being backed at fancy prices into 4/1. Here is its form summary prior to the race:

17/6/11 8f G 10/16 Btn 19L "Towards rear, kept on without threatening"

28/6/11 10f 7/12 Btn 22L "Chased leaders, no impression, kept on same pace"

12/8/11 12f GF 8/11 Btn 30L "Towards rear for most, never a factor"

11/9/11 16f Hurdle Sft/Hvy Fell "Chased leaders, off pace"

26/6/12 16f Hurdle GS Btn 31L "Towards rear for much, no danger"

10/7/2 16f Hurdle 8/18 Btn 26L "Never a threat, modest late headway"


After the last outing the stewards invited connections in to have a little word:

The Stewards enquired into the running and riding of Easy Reach, ridden by R.C. Colgan, and trained by Mrs Gillian Callaghan.
Evidence was heard from the rider and trainer concerned.
In his evidence R.C. Colgan stated that his instructions were to drop his mount in, get him settled, creep away into the race and finish as best as he could. He said he missed the start and felt that the field went a real good gallop. He thought halfway down the back that the field would come back to him and he pushed his mount along. On the turn for home, he gave his mount a smack of the whip, but felt that the horse did not pick up so from that point on he rode him hands and heels as best he could to the line.
In her evidence Mrs Gillian Callaghan confirmed the instructions and told how this was only the animal’s second start for her. She said the horse can be tricky at home and can be keen. She said that on the horse’s first run for her his jumping was sketchy, possibly because he had fallen on his previous start over hurdles. Because of that the aim today was to get him settled and get him jumping. She said her rider reported that the horse was outpaced over today’s trip and they will now look to step him up in trip in future. The trainer also expressed satisfaction with the ride, but added that maybe he could have had the horse handier in the earlier stages.
The Stewards also received a report from the Turf Club Veterinary Officer which stated that Easy Reach was found to be post race normal.
Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards noted the explanations of both rider and trainer, while they advised R.C. Colgan to be seen to make more effort in future.
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Tonight the horse made all and won easily even though its jockey still made no effort. I wonder whether it was the first time tongue strap, the increase in trip, a change of tactics or the words of encouragement from the stewards which did the most to produce the turnaround? :rolleyes:
 
That first race kept the stewards busy - it was also the contest in which Paul Townend stopped (and admitted stopping) Mulleady. He was found guilty of partaking in "conduct and behaviour prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct and good reputation of horseracing", and given a cash prize of €1,500.*








* a 3-day ban, actually, which isn't bad for what would be a lifetime warning off in some countries.
 
Indeed, and Mulleady also was a winner next time out, running about 20lbs better than ever before

By the way, Townend's ban was extended to five days by the Turf Club. His offence was to to pretend he was whipping his horse when in fact he was only giving it air shots.
 
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Grey said:
By the way, Townend's ban was extended to five days by the Turf Club. His offence was to to pretend he was whipping his horse when in fact he was only giving it air shots.
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I'd noted that - almost more depressing that the case could be referred and still get a joke sentence. Townend's defence at the referral was a simple "double jeopardy", by the way.
 
Thinking about it, I'm surprised that Townend's punishment wasn't 5 days with Robbie Colgan learning how to stop a horse without drawing undue attention to himself. He was probably confused with the usual puishment in such cases. A "serious caution" and a reminder to "be seen to make more of an effort" in future.
 
I note they didn't ask him to actually make an effort, just to be seen to do so.

Surely tantamount to saying "look my boy, we all know it's part of the game, but you at least need to look like you're trying"...

I rarely bet on Irish racing - almost impossible to know when they are off. (Unless one of you boys tips up an aeroplane, then obviously I get stuck in.)
 
I think the penalties in Ireland are far too lenient. The only man that makes a difference is the handicapper in that he was stopping a few Tony Martin horses by giving them high marks from the outset (it took him long enough to do it) and is also asking trainers now to run a horse a fourth time to get a mark. Until trainers and jocks get serious bans, this craic will carry on. 3 days for blatent airshots. Should have been a month. I have no sympathy for this sort of stuff.
 
Interesting observations chaps.I hardly follow the summer jumps at all.
Was anybody involved in the race not on the winner :D:rolleyes:
 
I rarely express my opinion of suspicious results and had backed the winner but it might be worth some of the more astute among you to take a look at 'Raggletagglegypsy' win on Sunday. It was backed from 16's in the morning to win at 8's.

Betting markets don't really interest me, especially in Ireland, but my unease was that only two horses seemed to be ridden with winning in mind and both were owned by the same person. I would like to know if there was any serious money won on the forecast.

MR2
 
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