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I have to say that I look down upon most American jockeys. I’ll scoff at anyone who claims that Mike Smith is as good as Mick Kinane, I’m not sure why I have this view. Gomez has impressed me with his races in Dubai but other than him I don’t really hold them in high esteem; I like the Europeans like Frankie, the Frenchies (there wouldn’t be much separating Mosse, Soumillon and Lemaire), Moore and Murtagh.
Maybe I think this way because of the plaudits thrown Calvin Borel’s way, but maybe that’s just the American media. He’s had some shocking rides, including Mine That Bird in the Belmont, Super Saver in the Derby (unnecessarily flogged him with the race wrapped up… the crack down the shoulder really makes me wince), Rachel in the Woodward… sticking to the rail is hardly exactly a new and exciting idea.
I did have a huge amount of respect for older American riders like Gary Stevens (pulled off some magnificent rides in HK) but less so the current generation.
I find Mordin incredibly useful at times. His times analyses are a great resource, and he illuminates simple factors that are all so important. Simple fact; if Canford Cliffs didn’t hang in the Greenham he would have beat Dick Turpin comfortably, and nobody would be saying he couldn’t stay a mile…
I did rather chuckle to myself listening to the radio this morning when they kept saying how the ‘eyes of the world’ were on the great race etc., as I was probably the only person in a radius of about 30 miles sat in front of a computer drinking strong coffee in a desperate attempt to stay awake! However, I’m not knocking it..it is a great race and I’m envious of the way that the whole continent gets behind it and the people and horses seem to be household names. Even the Grand National doesn’t seem to have the love and support of the British people the way that it did years ago. i can’t remember a time when I didn’t get up in the early hours to listen to it. One of my ambitions is to be there one day.
Americain, Maluckyday, So You Think. Maybe a touch too far for So You Think.
Superb tipping.
Dinner?
Zip
I do believe So You Think could win the cup next year – even with a monster weight.
If he gets better ground and doesn’t pull his head off he has the toe and he can stay if settling.
Shame they won’t bring him to Europe (if that is the case) – bit cowardly, really.
Zip
I expect you’re right, Presto. There’s no reason why there shouldn’t be a generational aspect – this crop minus superstars.
Incidentally, I believe a French kid called Leparoux has been doing rather well in the US. You’ll know about him, but here’s the Wiki entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julien_Leparoux
Actually, I think there are a fair number of top jockeys in every country. It’s like pro golf. The difference between the top ten and the bottom fifty, though, in the rankings in terms of technical ability is actually very small. It comes down to a kind of strength of character.
I once heard that professional football clubs use to have lads turn up for trials who were fantastic ball-players on the training ground, but in a match, under the various pressures, they were really no good at all for that level of the game.
About American jockeys:
The strategy of American racing differs from European and Aussie styles. Rather than the wait-wait-wait-RUN!, many jocks, especially at the lower levels, do the RUN-RUN-RUN thing. It goes along with the emphasis on speed. The longer the race, the less this works.Calvin Borel is recognized not as a good jockey but as a jockey who knows how to exploit the bias of one particular track. A way of measuring the quality of an American jock is to look at their statistics in turf races. Borel absolutely stinks on the grass. But Joel Rosario, Edgar Prado, Ramon Dominguez are equally good on turf.
There are specific "colonies" where many great jockeys begin their career. The Maryland circuit is known for producing great young riders- Anna Napravnik, Joshua Navarro, Sheldon Russell, Forest Boyce. Robbie Albarado, Joe Talamo, Corey Lanerie, Jamie Theriot, Calvin Borel, Kent Desormeaux and so many others got their start on the Cajun circuit. Other great jockeys began their careers at small-time tracks in Latin America. They learned using rough-and-tumble tactics and then applied them to the big leagues. It’s a different mindset from the schooling of European jockeys. That’s not to say that these guys are just prizefighters with no finesse. But their backgrounds may not work to their advantage in a 3200m race!
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/super … 5947500811
This thread will drop down soon, but SYT is on his way to Ballydoyle it seems.
This thread will drop down soon, but SYT is on his way to Ballydoyle it seems.
What a coup, apparently Bart Cummings is not happy about it. He says SYT may be the best he’s trained, and that there should be more to come, he doesn’t turn 4 until next week.
In the Cox Plate he started his sprint from something like the 700m so he can really let down from a long way out. Great speed too… he’s Fame and Glory with a Harbinger or Workforce finish. He acts on all ground and will be incredibly hard to beat in anything, including the Arc if all goes well.
What a coup, apparently Bart Cummings is not happy about it. He says SYT may be the best he’s trained, and that there should be more to come, he doesn’t turn 4 until next week.
In the Cox Plate he started his sprint from something like the 700m so he can really let down from a long way out. Great speed too… he’s Fame and Glory with a Harbinger or Workforce finish. He acts on all ground and will be incredibly hard to beat in anything, including the Arc if all goes well.
I’m looking forward to seeing him race in Europe. He should light up our early season 4yo+ G1’s in a big way.
If he’s fit and ready in time Coolmore could try for a win in a 1m G1 in the Lockinge. After that.. build him up in distance?
The only downside, and for once it’s only a small one, is the fact Aidan will be telling us all about how he’s done an 8.99 second furlong.
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