- This topic has 51 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 8 months ago by
.
- Posts
And the weight allowance was given here, it’s not his fault that he is 3 years old.
I agree Hein, it’s one of Nathan’s puzzling ideas.
Nothing Puzzling about it Ginge.
Many views on the scrap 2 year old races wouldn’t of seen Defoe running yesterday if those daft rules were in place. Plenty saying the weight for age allowance is too high as part of that discussion.Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
Guys we’ve all got different opinions, mine being without the interference Wall of Fire would of won and I’m not changing that. He lost all momentum and had to get going again. Yes Jac it wasn’t the best idea from Gordon, perhaps she wanted the rail when making the challenge.
Hein, I’ve not said change the result and throw out Atzeni have I….? (I’ll have to read back lol, it was yesterday)
Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
Subtle interference in this one by Andrea, shows that he knows what he is doing, not enough to reverse the result in my opinion but other jockeys should be aware of him. It is not the first time Andrea does it.
I agree with Nathan, the weight allowance is too big, but rules are rules.
Anyway, Defoe showed that he is a group horse
Just caught up with the race and to be honest haven’t seen the head on but personally I didn’t think that Josephine Gordon gave Wall of Fire a very good race Nathan. She seemed intent on tracking Defoe at all costs and got herself into trouble doing so. She tracked him over to the rail in the early stages then she was behind him as he moved across to the stands side of the track and tried to pass him but got squeezed up for room then she went on the inside of Defoe with Wall Of Fire now under pressure and had to switch to make yet another challenge but it was all too late.
Wall Of Fire is a neat little horse and he’s going to win a Group race at some stage, I think if the jockey had not been so intent on tracking the favourite she could have had him in a better position and not wasted energy and disappointed him in not being able to make his run when he was fired up to do so.
Defoe was travelling well all the way it was almost a hands and heels win with Atzeni only giving him one reminder near the finish he was impressive.
My selection Frontiersman was really disappointing when looking like he had a good chance to assert and go on he fluffed his lines again but, like Wall Of Fire, I think there is a good race to be won with him before the end of the season…Jac
Has anyone got the head on because Sporting Life’s replay of the race didn’t show it and from side on it didn’t look so bad?
The Stewards acted at Newmarket today Ginge and threw out Mark Johnston’s winner Star Of The East in favour of Sheik Hamdam’s Okool for hanging left.
It’s the first in a long time and I’ve seen worse incidents let pass. But hey ho that’s racing 😥I think if you’d seen the head on, Jac; you may have a different opinion. I only came to my opinion from watching the head on.
I don’t know what you’d call a “better position”? Take a look at the times I provided earlier on this thread. Beforehand, I thought To Eternity might get a soft lead, but Agent Murphy and Harlequeen took her on early. Berry should have then slowed it up but didn’t, then made it worse by kicking on early despite a headwind (no cover). Poor ride. There were front running winners on the day, but they did not set anywhere near as strong early pace. Other prominent horses in the Freer also finished well held. In this particular race – given pace and wind – the worst position was out in front and the “best position” exactly where Josephine had Walls Of Fire – out the back with plenty of cover. If anything imo WOF was flattered in getting so close.
Saw that Newmarket race on the TV, Star Of The East did hang left, but the important thing was she gave Okool a hefty bump, yet Fanning kept using the whip in his wrong hand. Verdict only a neck and Okool would probably have won without the interference – right decision… Sorry Jac.
Value Is EverythingAnd the weight allowance was given here, it’s not his fault that he is 3 years old.
I agree Hein, it’s one of Nathan’s puzzling ideas.
Nothing Puzzling about it Ginge.
Many views on the scrap 2 year old races wouldn’t of seen Defoe running yesterday if those daft rules were in place. Plenty saying the weight for age allowance is too high as part of that discussion.Weight allowance being too high is something I can agree on, Nathan. Getting rid of it altogether – as you suggested – is what I find puzzling. Grundy would never have taken on Bustino, Reference Point would never have taken on Mtoto and Galileo not have taken on Fantastic Light. But that’s for another thread.
Value Is EverythingPlease show me where I suggested getting rid of it altogether….?
Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
Fair comment Ginge and Nathan
I do wish I could have seen the head on but just looking at the replay Defoe was really impressive and Jo Gordon rode a messy looking race.
By better position I meant if she had stayed in her original stalls starting position which was stands side she would then have been where she wanted to be at the end of the race when trying for a possy up the inside stands rail around Defoe. She could possibly then have been 2 lengths in the lead and winning the race although your timings say she was in the best place they don’t make allowance for interference incurred.
Sure fire winner next time out and we just have to accept the stewards decision and move on….Jac
Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...Hein, I’ve not said change the result and throw out Atzeni have I….? (I’ll have to read back lol, it was yesterday)
Don’t worry Nathan, I didn’t say you had said that, you weren’t meant by that.
And if you think the weight allowance is too high that’s legitimate, cos (Slade spelling
) that is what a forum is for.
But wait until Defoe becomes a 4 year old .But wait until Defoe becomes a 4 year old
I can’t wait Hein, I’m going to his birthday party…..
I know Defoe is a very, very good horse but that’s why I’m frustrated as I’ve championed Wall of Fire a long time. I put him up in the Ascot Gold Cup thread and even when he was losing races I was saying wait until he gets to run on a galloping track.Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
Sure fire winner next time out and we just have to accept the stewards decision and move on….Jac
Depends where Hugo decides to send him Jac, needs a galloping track and a good test of stamina
Stewards decisions accepted and moved on….
Funny how passionate we get about our horses.Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
I can’t wait Hein, I’m going to his birthday party…..
That’s subtle British humour, I guess
Fine that we agree on his quality, then there’s something to look forward to.Please show me where I suggested getting rid of it altogether….?
In the Horse Racing section you started a thread using the title “scrap all two year old races”, Nathan. The OP just had a link to a Racing Post article, with the only word from you about the article “I can’t see this one taking off”. It’s so hard an idea to bring in – needing support from all around the World – so those who actually support the idea “can’t see this one taking off”. So I thought that on the whole you were also in favour of “scrap all two year old races”. (One of the main principles to the idea is to do away with the weight for age). You then proceed to say virtually nothing on the subject; barely three lines in the three page thread. Those three lines I thought admitting there’d be pitfalls to the idea despite (I thought apparently wrongly) believing in it. Just as I – although against it – wrote a post defending some of the ideals.
If those are not your own views then I am truly sorry, Nathan. I know how frustrating it can be when people wrongly portray my views.
It is of course up to any poster how much or little they comment. However – if starting a thread about something you yourself disagree with (especially when the actual thread title seems to suggest otherwise) – it will be helpful to me if using more than a few words (that may be misinterpreted) to describe your own beliefs on the matter in question.
Value Is EverythingI think most posters guessed that Nathan was just flagging that statement up for comment Ginge…and it did get some interesting replys.
I’m 50/50 on the subject really, part of me thinks it a good idea to let their legs mature for another year but in reality like judge stated on the Thread I do look forward to seeing them year after year, just wish they were only allowed to race a maximum of 4 times as two year olds.Perhaps (to save confusion) Threads should have the option for posters to speak out the main title in their own voice..
so perhaps this would have been Nathan..big clearing of throat and in his best Frankie Howard voice…here we go…
“Ooo err missus did you ‘er the one about scraping 2yo races?”…
“Well I never did..our Charlie won tat egg and spoon just last week e’ll be reet sad.” The Geoffrey Freer has been a really good discussion Thread with opinions voiced and respected. I would have been as passionate about the result had it been Eminent, I know when you really believe in a horse how much it hurts to see him/her get beaten.
The best thing is when that horse eventually comes out and proves you right …that is the best feeling ever.
JacThings turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...Lol Jac Frankie Howard……
Okay Ginge, fair enough to a degree perhaps I should of added “I can’t see this one taking off” “and hope it doesn’t”
The thread title was for the story and not my own opinion but I can see how that can possibly come across wrong.
I read the story and wanted to gauge other members opinions on the subject.
As for the weight for age, all horses have different ability and different rates of maturity, I think in the group 1 races the best 3 year olds are usually the ones to have hit or near hit peak, one of the reasons they are the best 3 y/o’s they possibly/some won’t improve alot more at 4 and a lot of the successful ones will retire at the end of a 3 y/o campaign leaving the next best lot to take up the 4 y/o duty. A slight deduction in weight allowance I’d be in favour of but it wouldn’t be the end of the world leaving it as it is.
My weight allowance comment on Saturday was more typing out aloud at the tv at those pundits I didn’t feel gave Wall of Fire enough credit for his run.Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
It’s the first in a long time and I’ve seen worse incidents let pass. But hey ho that’s racing 😥
) that is what a forum is for.
Jac- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.