If horses aren't trying a lot of the time...then

EC1

EC1

On a break
Joined
May 7, 2007
Messages
17,679
Location
late 1960's early 70's
why when we get soft ground as today at Chepstow..do lots get withdrawn?

as form readers ..i don't know about you guys but i generally think many trainers run most of their handicappers to preserve their mark...get it where they want it etc....so when reading form you look for the runs where trainers want to get a mark down or preserve it

surely if the ground goes against a horse...then you would still run it if you weren't bothered about winning anyway?

or is it that actually trainers are trying more than we think and so don't want to waste a run on slow ground.

it just seems to me that unideal conditions would be a godsend to many trainers who lay their horse out for one or two wins and want them losing the other times...as our handicap system seems to encourage
 
Last edited:
Soft ground can leave a mark on an out and out fast ground horse though EC.

Those that are up to winning will most likely have some sort of campaign mapped out allowing for breaks between races and, unless they're being aimed at valuable races, most won't travel too far unless they're with the likes of Peter Bowen or Jonjo who seem to pop up just about everywhere to farm the Summer prizemoney.

The truth is if you want to run in a suitable handicap there's usually a few coming up at a suitable distance in the near future, so there's no point in bottoming one when fast ground is only around for about 16-18 weeks.
 
just thought would get some chat going..this board is basically dying on its arse..people out there who read but don't take part want to get posting i would say
 
You're right EC. I'm at work though so can't make long posts on the iPhone really. Good to try and start a bit of debate though.

Of course there will be a bit of a lull until real racing starts again in the autumn ;)
 
Can only speak for myself but flat racing just doesn't interest me so choose to stay out of it rather than post negative comments.
 
EC1 said:
just thought would get some chat going..this board is basically dying on its arse..people out there who read but don't take part want to get posting i would say
Click to expand...
It has indeed seemed very quiet since Cheltenham really.
It's been a shame to see some of the forum stalwarts like Grassy,Slim DO and Clive staying away.
Let's hope the board stays strong because apart from anything else I don't have anyone else to talk about the sport of kings with!
 
Chepstow is a tough course at the best of times and not the most suitable place when it's soft for giving a horse an easy run I'd say.
 
Yes, I always look at Chepstow form as a guide, when a horse has never run at Cheltenham. Tough old course.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
len_madeiros said:
Yes, I always look at Chepstow form as a guide, when a horse has never run at Cheltenham. Tough old course.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I used to do the same Len, but it rarely seems to translate these day. Not sure why, maybe a reflection of the standard of racing at Chepstow these days.
 
Calling a spade a spade If a trainer has one that isn't off or is being brought to his peak on the racecourse,
to run a horse on unsuitable heavy or very soft ground e.g.can undo all his hard work and set a horse back months.

Horse that are being stopped obviously have to have some sort of ability or there would be no sense in stopping them in the first place.

Unlikely to be short of a gallop or 6 they will still be involved for about 3/4 of the race until lack of fitness tells.

If the jockey in charge deliberately never put the horse into the race then he's going to be going better for longer and he runs the risk of being pulled in under the non triers rule.

So the best way is let him run his race and let lack of fitness do it's job.

The problem is when you run them unfit on unsuitable ground it pulls the guts out of a horse and it takes him ages to recover.

If he's a soft ground horse the reasons for not running him on the likes of good to firm are obvious.....you could end up doing a lot of damage to legs joints etc.
 
Back
Top