Not so Joyous
February 28th 2009 05:42
When I was young I would be taken to the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds on Saturday nights to watch harness racing (or simply the trots, as it was then universally known).
Often you would see a horse gallop away from the strand barriers - or simply do a sideways shuffle and then take no part in the race.
Surprisingly in Melbourne and Sydney today I had recollections of this as firstly Essaouira at Caulfield - then More Joyous in Sydney - both put on rodeo displays just metres after jumping away.
Both fillies are exceptionally well regarded, with More Joyous being Golden Slipper favourite, and Essaouira being another expected to challenge. Both were having their second race starts after both had won by (exactly!) 5.5 lengths on debut.
The similarities ringing out more as X- File than racing guide.
The Freedman stable (and jockey Dwayne Dunn) have no excuses for the display of $1.55 favourite Essaouira. It was a first offence and comes completely unexpected.
The Gai Waterhouse stable have more definitive answers to the performance of Slipper favourite (and $1.40 favourite today) More Joyous. Being re-plated before the race a nuisance - but it was the sight of the slipped saddle with girth set back and irritating the filly into a bucking bronco display.
So sure is jockey Nash Rawiller that it was a gear problem - rather than manners - that he has stated that he hopes the stewards take this into account and don’t require More Joyous to trial (to satisfaction) again before racing. But I would think Essaouira would need to go around another time to satisfy all before she starts again.
It’s not the trots, but 2 year old racing is fraught with an added layer of uncertainty over that already existing in the very nature of racing. Like the trots, 2 year old racing can be very interesting to watch, but prone to spectacle and surprise.
Latest betting for the Golden Slipper with TAB Sportsbet:
MORE JOYOUS
5.50
2.12
REAL SAGA
6.50
2.37
MELITO
8.00
2.75
STREETS AWAY
12.00
3.75
SUNDAY ROSE
12.00
3.75
REWARD FOR EFFORT
15.00
4.50
TICKETS
15.00
4.50
HORIZONS
15.00
4.50
MARQUARDT (Not Nom)
17.00
5.00
MANHATTAN RAIN
17.00
5.00
AVENUE
21.00
6.00
ESSAOUIRA
21.00
6.00
More Joyous
Often you would see a horse gallop away from the strand barriers - or simply do a sideways shuffle and then take no part in the race.
Surprisingly in Melbourne and Sydney today I had recollections of this as firstly Essaouira at Caulfield - then More Joyous in Sydney - both put on rodeo displays just metres after jumping away.
Both fillies are exceptionally well regarded, with More Joyous being Golden Slipper favourite, and Essaouira being another expected to challenge. Both were having their second race starts after both had won by (exactly!) 5.5 lengths on debut.
The similarities ringing out more as X- File than racing guide.
The Freedman stable (and jockey Dwayne Dunn) have no excuses for the display of $1.55 favourite Essaouira. It was a first offence and comes completely unexpected.
The Gai Waterhouse stable have more definitive answers to the performance of Slipper favourite (and $1.40 favourite today) More Joyous. Being re-plated before the race a nuisance - but it was the sight of the slipped saddle with girth set back and irritating the filly into a bucking bronco display.
So sure is jockey Nash Rawiller that it was a gear problem - rather than manners - that he has stated that he hopes the stewards take this into account and don’t require More Joyous to trial (to satisfaction) again before racing. But I would think Essaouira would need to go around another time to satisfy all before she starts again.
It’s not the trots, but 2 year old racing is fraught with an added layer of uncertainty over that already existing in the very nature of racing. Like the trots, 2 year old racing can be very interesting to watch, but prone to spectacle and surprise.
Latest betting for the Golden Slipper with TAB Sportsbet:
MORE JOYOUS
5.50
2.12
REAL SAGA
6.50
2.37
MELITO
8.00
2.75
STREETS AWAY
12.00
3.75
SUNDAY ROSE
12.00
3.75
REWARD FOR EFFORT
15.00
4.50
TICKETS
15.00
4.50
HORIZONS
15.00
4.50
MARQUARDT (Not Nom)
17.00
5.00
MANHATTAN RAIN
17.00
5.00
AVENUE
21.00
6.00
ESSAOUIRA
21.00
6.00
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