My eye was caught by Ron Wood’s comments in Friday’s Racing Post about the performance of Jean-Pierre Guillambert on Submission, fourth in a fillies’ handicap at Goodwood the previous day: “[Submission]…didn’t get a clear run in the straight, notably around 2f out, and was then given a soft ride by her jockey, particularly in the last furlong, but she still ran on. She failed by just a neck to be placed and it’s likely anyone who backed her to make the first three will not have been at all pleased with J-P Guillambert.”
Having had the opportunity to view a recording of the race today, all I can say is that I totally agree and I am amazed that the jockey’s “effort” hasn’t attracted a great deal more attention. Submission opened at 14s, touched 16s and was then backed down to 6/1 and it’s not hard to imagine that there were plenty with an each-way interest in her. They were robbed. The Post’s race reader’s comments say it all: “poor 7th and nudged along over 1f out, continued to be tenderly handled but kept on inside final furlong to press for 3rd at finish.”
The ride was a disgrace but what defies belief is the failure of the stewards to hold an enquiry. There’s no mention of one either in the Post or on the BHA’s website so I think we can take it that they saw nothing amiss. They must have been watching with their eyes shut.
Having had the opportunity to view a recording of the race today, all I can say is that I totally agree and I am amazed that the jockey’s “effort” hasn’t attracted a great deal more attention. Submission opened at 14s, touched 16s and was then backed down to 6/1 and it’s not hard to imagine that there were plenty with an each-way interest in her. They were robbed. The Post’s race reader’s comments say it all: “poor 7th and nudged along over 1f out, continued to be tenderly handled but kept on inside final furlong to press for 3rd at finish.”
The ride was a disgrace but what defies belief is the failure of the stewards to hold an enquiry. There’s no mention of one either in the Post or on the BHA’s website so I think we can take it that they saw nothing amiss. They must have been watching with their eyes shut.
