Intrigued

[no idea]

I watched a horse called Princess Caetani run in the first race today at Wetherby as I fancied it a little but did not have a bet.
Personally I thought it was never put in the race at any stage.
The stewards also thought so as they held an enquiry and this is from the BHA website.
The Stewards held an enquiry into the running and riding of PRINCESS CAETANI (IRE), ridden by Jason Maguire and trained by David Dennis, which settled mid division in the early stages of the race and appeared to stay on at one pace to finish fifth, beaten some 17 lengths. They interviewed the rider who stated that PRINCESS CAETAIN (IRE) jumped poorly throughout, ran green and was very weak. Having heard his evidence and viewed recordings of the race the Stewards noted his explanations. They ordered PRINCESS CAETANI (IRE) to be routine tested.

Again personally I did not think it jumped that badly, however the bit that intrigues me is the bit where it says the horse ran green and was weak.
It as run 19 times on the flat winning 3 aqnd being placed 5 times.
How is that green and weak?
Maybe someone can explain that one to me.
Thanks in advance

[Gingertipster]

I watched a horse called Princess Caetani run in the first race today at Wetherby as I fancied it a little but did not have a bet.
Personally I thought it was never put in the race at any stage.
The stewards also thought so as they held an enquiry and this is from the BHA website.
The Stewards held an enquiry into the running and riding of PRINCESS CAETANI (IRE), ridden by Jason Maguire and trained by David Dennis, which settled mid division in the early stages of the race and appeared to stay on at one pace to finish fifth, beaten some 17 lengths. They interviewed the rider who stated that PRINCESS CAETAIN (IRE) jumped poorly throughout, ran green and was very weak. Having heard his evidence and viewed recordings of the race the Stewards noted his explanations. They ordered PRINCESS CAETANI (IRE) to be routine tested.

Again personally I did not think it jumped that badly, however the bit that intrigues me is the bit where it says the horse ran green and was weak.
It as run 19 times on the flat winning 3 aqnd being placed 5 times.
How is that green and weak?
Maybe someone can explain that one to me.
Thanks in advance

If you look at the first two hurdles on RUK NI, PC seemed to try and refuse. Also, though didn’t exactly hit obstacles – in home straight you can see the mare physically jinking just as she got to hurdles. Which is probably what JM meant by "jumped poorly" and "green". This being the first time she’d seen a hurdle in public.

Bit of a madam on the flat, high head and seem to remember at Salisbury awkward tail carriage too. So might not be 100% straightforward NI. Stays 1m4f and needs very soft ground these days, so may need further and/or more give in future (easy to see why may have been outpaced late on over today’s near minimum jumps trip).

However

NI, do agree there wasn’t much assistance from the saddle between hurdles in the home straight and don’t understand the "weak" comment at all.

Value Is Everything

[no idea]

Many thanks Gingertipster.

I will watch out for it next time over a little longer on softer ground.

[Gingertipster]

I also remember from Salisbury she has very big feet, which may be the reason for liking plenty of give.

Value Is Everything

[insomniac]

Never saw the race but I too am intrigued by the "weak" excuse. Perhaps it’s beneficial to run a horse over jumps when it’s "weak".
Maybe veterinary science and seasoned trainers know that running a horse when it’s "weak" is a good thing! I have never trained a horse (or even sat on one), so what do you reckon? Underfeed your horse so that it’s "weak" – is that a method to be applauded? A way to bring out the best in a horse later on?
Personally, I reckon it’s a load of b@@@cks, and anyone using that excuse should be underfed to a near-anorexic state to see if they think being "weak" is a good state to be in when about to engage in a 2mile+ race.
Or perhaps connections are lying – not necessarliy in this example of course – and a horse wasn’t really "weak"; perhaps connections go for brevity by saying "weak" rather than er, say.. "not yet back to full strength". ‘Cos we know full well that racehorses are NEVER deliberately sent to the track too unfit (perhaps even too "weak"!) to do themselves justice don’t we?

[Danny]

I backed it so was watching closely he did seem to be a little soft on the ride the jumping was sketchy especially early on. However had Maguire been a bit more vigorous I still don’t think the horse would have been placed.

[MarkTT]

I think explanations should be referred to at a later date. Many times i’ve seen trainers give a step up or down in trip as a reason why a horse showed greatly improved form, only for the horse to revert back to the preceding distance for it’s next race.

[Author]

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