Racing phrases

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mrussell

At the Start
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Aug 20, 2006
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Well, the idea is to list phrases that are pretty much used only in racing.
A minor diversion .....

worked the Oracle
a shade cosily
coming back to them
snatched up
a skinner

Now I'm cheating:
well, listen, he's a nice horse and no bother, you know? (with Aidan's accent only.)
if you come up my inside again .... (Lester)
 
mrussell said:
if you come up my inside again ....
Click to expand...

Think I've heard that somewhere before (in a very different context).

Much like "over-use of the whip" actually... ;)

EDIT: on a more serious note, I don't think I've heard the phrase "give the office" outside racing.
 
"Gets out the old persuader... "

The jolly, drifting like a barge, the steamer. And then there are all the betting phrases which John McCririck loves to trot out: on the shoulder, rouf, neves, carpet, double-carpet, on the roof...

Then the descriptions of a horse's behaviour during a race, and which you never hear applied to human athletes: over-racing, pulling for his head, reefing, rank, sulking at the rear, showing bright speed/a sharp turn of foot, and so on.

"Anchored by his welter burden..." when describing a struggling top weight.

"Woof-woof" and dodgepot. I like "spat the dummy out", too - although I realise that applies to any sulky behaviour, I love the idea of large chaser getting into a peevish snit.

Having had the pleasure of spending a few nights (and days) at Hove Dogs with a friend who owns several greyhounds, there are some smashing phrases around that sport, too: "popped the lid late", "on the bunny", "out the tin quickly" and others.
 
Slashing outside the off stump.
Standing in the slips with his legs apart, waiting for a tickle.

Sorry, Cricket hijacks Racing!
 
swinging on the steel
likes to hear his feet rattle
on the bridle
retired to stud
 
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Cricket

"the samurai sword shot" as our old cricket coach in school called it - when the balls wide and you swing at it. Generally as likely to get a top edge and send it to the slips as you are hit a boundary

"Queens Drive cruiser" - you could fit a double decker bus (one of the big ones that goes along Queens Drive in Liverpool) between your bat and pad at cricket
 
Calling a cab. (Yes, I know you can call a cab, but that's not what someone calling a cab in racing is doing.)

He/she's lost his/her irons.

Riding with a toe in the iron.

Spreading a plate.
 
"And they're off! Ryan grabs an early pozzie on the rails and Suzukisu, on her toes in the paddock, shows bright early speed and lies handy, just off the pace. Banjo Baby, boring on the bit and out with the washing at the moment, has a lot to do if she's to win. Xerxes III, a known deep closer, is reefing badly and George Baker has a double handful on Dingbat Again, with the sideburns and moustache. Susukisu has shot her bolt and folds tamely. Now they're coming into the straight and George gives Dingbat Again the office, but he looks sulky, and it's Banjo Baby, under the persuader, who takes them along. Xerxes III is making his move wide and begins to stretch under his welter burden, what a game horse he is, but now it's the drifter in the market, Woopsydoo, who's swooping from the clouds under a left-hand drive by Darryll, who's the biggest danger... it's Xerxes III, Woopsydoo... Woopsydoo nuts Xerxes on the line and lifts the day's biggest prize! Good run by Xerxes III, close, but no cigar!"

(I've got no idea what any of this means... !)
 
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