Horses That Refuse

[sporting sam]

We`ve seen it before many times in NH racing.<br>A horse at the start looks very reluctant and despite urgings is not keen to run.<br>The jockey dismounts, walks it round a bit, gets back on,<br>starters assistant tries to help, but the horse has made its mind up. Ultimately the horse is left standing as the tape goes up and punters money goes up in smoke without a run as the horse is deemed to be under orders.<br>This happened in the 4.55 at Catterick yesterday as Savvanah River played up. <br>Everyone placing a bet knows the rules, but doesnt this stink a bit? :o <br>I didnt bet in this race which ironically was won by a horse called TradingTrouble!!<br>The horse was the 18/1 outsider but someone would have had a few bob on it.<br>I know an independant bookmaker a few years back who would always return small stakes if not too many people were in his shop if something like this happened.<br>

[yeats]

As it lined up the only fair decision is to have it deemed a runner. It’s up to the starter and the jockey to decide whether to withdraw it before it lines up not after.

[Kotkijet]

Yah, that and one could factor in any previous refusal exploits when evaluating the horses chances in a race.

[Author]

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