not knocking about and all that

[kasparov]

I notice Timeform are suggesting, in comments for Ascot, that War Command wasn’t "knocked about" in the 2000 Guineas. I suppose this means he might have finished better if he had been driven out and therefore the bare form might be misleading. But it also seems to imply that he will somehow be fresher for the next race, and this seems to be conventional racing wisdom. Presumably this is because "knocking him about" would have worn him out and/or put him off racing.

But is there any evidence that "knocking horses about" in the sense of racing them at full speed (rather than literally hurting them) damages their ability to race next time out? I haven’t seen any. If anything I would have thought racing fitness ought to improve after a demanding race.

[robert99]

Since the whip rules were changed and non-cutting whips used there is no such thing as knocking a horse about any more.
Timeform remain stuck in the 1950s using the same old racing clichés, as if they were actual truth.

All racing efforts damage the muscles with micro tears but it does further stimulate the muscles and lungs to develop further (training gallops are nothing like as strenuous as a real race at distance). Being forced into making extra effort when past the point of comfort does more damage.

That repair plus development occurs over several weeks rest. The harder the race the longer needed.

[Author]

Posts