Words of Encouragement
June 21st 2010 01:15
From the stands we yell words of encouragement.
Go (Typhoon) Tracy!
Go Rachel (Alexandra)!
Go Zenyatta!
Encouragement, optimism, and (hand on betting slip) hope.
And on the arena of the racetrack, atop a horse, the jockeys also yell encouragement.
Sometimes beginning with gentle words of endearment, but most often building to a crescendo of uttered oaths and the nonsense words of speaking-in-tongues.
The encouragement by voice is the search for an overdrive once top gear has been achieved. The dig, the slap (with padded whip), the heel (sometimes - if not riding so fashionably short as most now do), the plea, the emphasis. The partnership. We are here to win.
And the horse is aware. His elastic ears pinned back. He listens.
There is the conduit of touch between man and animal, the soft and confident hands on the reins, the steady seat and balance (weight over withers and a teasing toe in the irons). It is the soft measures of confidence that build into the final phase of rush for the line and victory.
The thunder of hooves.
The words of encouragement.
Dwayne Dunn aboard Sleek Chassis in the Blue Diamond Stakes of 2007. A million dollar race of Group One status. Dwayne Dunn both excited and expectant. The filly listens and responds to win.
(photos: Neil Murray) click images for enlargements
Neil Murray Photography
And at the opposite end of the scale the thrill and taste of victory is no less important. Young claiming apprentice Daniel Malouf drives Miss Woodhill clear to win a Maiden race at Cranbourne in May of 2010. His mouth so wide in shock and delight - the prize or prestige not as important at that moment as the win.
The female jockeys have proved their worth and equal expertise time and time again. But they are not fuelled by testosterone. Linda Meech is vocal - though her mount Scenic Find seems puzzled by what she has uttered, obviously not aware of any dangers. Scenic Find would respond to the urgency of the request and hold on to win by a nose from the fast finishing Kylemore Castle at Pakenham in 2009.
Go (Typhoon) Tracy!
Go Rachel (Alexandra)!
Go Zenyatta!
Encouragement, optimism, and (hand on betting slip) hope.
And on the arena of the racetrack, atop a horse, the jockeys also yell encouragement.
Sometimes beginning with gentle words of endearment, but most often building to a crescendo of uttered oaths and the nonsense words of speaking-in-tongues.
The encouragement by voice is the search for an overdrive once top gear has been achieved. The dig, the slap (with padded whip), the heel (sometimes - if not riding so fashionably short as most now do), the plea, the emphasis. The partnership. We are here to win.
And the horse is aware. His elastic ears pinned back. He listens.
There is the conduit of touch between man and animal, the soft and confident hands on the reins, the steady seat and balance (weight over withers and a teasing toe in the irons). It is the soft measures of confidence that build into the final phase of rush for the line and victory.
The thunder of hooves.
The words of encouragement.
Dwayne Dunn
Dwayne Dunn aboard Sleek Chassis in the Blue Diamond Stakes of 2007. A million dollar race of Group One status. Dwayne Dunn both excited and expectant. The filly listens and responds to win.
(photos: Neil Murray) click images for enlargements
Neil Murray Photography
Daniel Malouf
And at the opposite end of the scale the thrill and taste of victory is no less important. Young claiming apprentice Daniel Malouf drives Miss Woodhill clear to win a Maiden race at Cranbourne in May of 2010. His mouth so wide in shock and delight - the prize or prestige not as important at that moment as the win.
Linda Meech
The female jockeys have proved their worth and equal expertise time and time again. But they are not fuelled by testosterone. Linda Meech is vocal - though her mount Scenic Find seems puzzled by what she has uttered, obviously not aware of any dangers. Scenic Find would respond to the urgency of the request and hold on to win by a nose from the fast finishing Kylemore Castle at Pakenham in 2009.
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