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Is the Shergar Cup against the rules of racing?
To have “teams” in a sport where each runner has to do its best to win is surely asking for trouble. I remember Jasmick (a hold up horse) an outsider, being sacrificed used to make a good pace for the other team members who needed a fast run race. O.K. the “rules” of the Cup have changed a bit since.
Any other time, if jockeys got together and talked about a race it would be frowned on.
Entering the final three furlongs:
If there is one horse going well, and another being scrubbed along, does he ease out and let his team mate through? Or does he keep it in, doing his best to win the race himself?If jockeys are not getting together for team tactics why is there team captains?
Have the rules of racing been unoficially suspended?
I am all for initiatives to bring new people / racegoers to our sport, but not when the rules seem to have been suspended to do so.
Mark
Value Is EverythingMark
Just for one day accept that it’s something different, take a happy pill, and let it go on.
Rob
I am always happy Rob.
Just it seems wrong to me.
These pills are good man.
Mark
Value Is EverythingI have to admit I have been one of the fiercest critics of the Shergar Cup over the years, but have now been won over.
Yes it is a strange format but it is only one meeting in the calendar.
There was a non-Royal meeting record crowd of 33,115 at Ascot today – OK a large number were there for the concert, however there was a great atmosphere and I think a number of the newcomers will come racing again – if that happens then it is worth the novelty value. It is only one meeting out of a large number in the year. And to be honest I have been to far too many unenjoyable “normal” meetings to get too churlish about this one.
I saw no evidence of team tactics but to be honest if you have concerns about tactics then don’t bet on the event – there were plenty of alternatives elsewhere today. I am more concerned about jockeys who do not normally ride in this country and are therefore at a tactical disadvantage.
In my view all the jocks were there to win – witness the foul mood of Mr Spencer after Bentong did his "Hamlet" in the first.
The biggest downer of the day for me (and many others) was the four day ban handed to Russell Baze for whip misuse in his first run in this country – OK rules are rules but the Stewards could have shown some discretion and in the circumstances a stern warning should have been sufficient. Especially when you consider that later on Hayley Turner and Jamie Spencer only got one day each for whip and careless riding respectively. The view of the other jocks who were prepared to comment is they felt the ban was excessive.
I think they’ve got the format right, and I too have been won over.
You wouldnt want one of these every month, but as an annual one-off "special", it’s fine.
Btw, I thought Take looked particularly silkily skilled today, while Spencer probably wished he’d stayed in bed.
while Spencer probably wished he’d stayed in bed.
and I think it was with more than a touch of irony that he welcomed the four points he received for Vanderlin not running.
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