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I don’t like bashing jockeys, but the worst ride of the day went to Kerrin McEvoy on Montpellier – a real hard luck story. Perhaps I’m slightly bitter because my money was on!!
I’ll be on next time…
Most of us (whether we admit it or not) tend to criticise jockeys because the supposed good thing they have just ridden, has lost – and thus cost us many £££s.
That said, I tread very carefully these days before splashing out the readies on short priced favourites ridden by messrs Dettori and Spencer.
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
Jamie Spencer is an infuriating jockey – brilliant one minute, incredibly erratic and careless the next.
I’ve never had a problem with Dettori. I think it’s so easy to criticise him just because of his status in the sport. That being said, one of the most unforgiving rides in the history of the sport had to be Swain in the Breeders Cup Classic – what was he thinking?
Jamie Spencer is an infuriating jockey – brilliant one minute, incredibly erratic and careless the next.
That erratic and careless side was perfectly illustrated (yet again) in this evening’s 8.20 race at Wolverhampton. His ride on 11/8 favourite, History Boy, was not very good, to put it mildly.
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
Himself
When Spencer won on the bridle last week they went a strong gallop. This week he was 6 lb higher, they went a slower gallop and the horse was forced to come off the bridle. He has already shown on numerous occasions that his response to pressure is limited. Add in that under the 6 lb penalty he wasn’t rntitled to beat the Johnston horseand he was short enough at 11/8. Blame Spencer if you like but I wouldmn’t criticise him for that.
Himself
When Spencer won on the bridle last week they went a strong gallop. This week he was 6 lb higher, they went a slower gallop and the horse was forced to come off the bridle. He has already shown on numerous occasions that his response to pressure is limited. Add in that under the 6 lb penalty he wasn’t rntitled to beat the Johnston horseand he was short enough at 11/8. Blame Spencer if you like but I wouldmn’t criticise him for that.
I appreciate what you say, but my criticism of him is not solely based on the ride he gave History Boy last night at Wolverhampton. He didn’t give the horse a chance. Incidentally I’m not talking threw my pocket – as I said earlier, I tread carefully now where he is concerned.
There is no denying that he has talent, but he is enigmatic to the point of frustration and infuriation at times – one minute he can show flashes of brilliance (he gave Hoh Mike a superb ride at Sandown last time out for example) and then there’s the numerous times he has ridden as if his mind was somewhere else completely.
He has a tendency to be over confident when he shouldn’t be. To quote the oft used phrase, which I have heard attributed to him on many occasions – "he thinks he’s on Nijinsky." As I say, I’m not knocking his ability. You don’t become champion flat jockey without that basic requirement – but I do however question his race judgement and motivation at times.
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
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