Comments on: Sticky wicket

By: Michael Pinner

Michael Pinner — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 22:14:51 +0000

I predict the result of the BHA’s summons to O’Brien will give rise to general rejoicing throughout the land when it is announced that there will be “peace in our time”.
The jockey will say he felt his horse weakening and only looked around to make sure he wasn’t going to interfere with other runners as he fell back through the field. This will be accepted.

By: The Gambler.

The Gambler. — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 06:58:49 +0000

I see the BHA have announced an enquiry.

By: Michael Pinner

Michael Pinner — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 10:08:00 +0000

O’Mobile’s run of success in Group One races is too exeptional to be explained merely by his famous “attention to detai” - give me a break! Three cheers for Andrew Black for sticking his head above the parapet.
The BHA policy on the matter of Ballydoyle’s team tactics is clearly one of appeasement. They will not take on this growing “dictatorship” by enforcing their own rules. The Duke’s win is just the latest example.
“Laws are spider webs through which the big flies pass and the little ones get caught.”
Honore de Balzac

By: Stephen

Stephen — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:31:16 +0000

Hi Bert,

Stephen Here. I wrote back In April asking for your assistance, which you declined and I understood why.

I have struggled on to no avail and now on the verge of losing my sanity.

Will you reconsider?? Need a saviour to help me move on and forward. Please?

By: johnn

johnn — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:55:00 +0000

We have been able to see for some time that Ballydoyle employ team tactics, and in principle that is against the rules. Given the stewards’ and authorities unwillingness to do anything, how slow have connections of other horses been to wake up to this situation? For example, had I been Prince Khallid or Cheveley Park I would strongly consider my own pacemaker, and ask him to either track or sit aside the Ballydoyle hare, and ask my first string to try (at least) to fill the spot between the Ballydole pacemaker, and their first string. Surely everyone knows Johnny covets that rail by now? I guarantee that if interference happened between two “pacemakers” and two first strings, the issue would suddenly have to be dealt with (even if primarily for the welfare of horses in a rough race.) Nobody can beat Ballydoyle, so what’s to lose? In business, people find solutions to change situations that don’t suit them. In racing, people stand back and mutter under their breath….

By: Bob Wharton

Bob Wharton — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:22:35 +0000

John must be king of the betting shop mugs if he can’t see how important the team tactics issue is.One thing is certain is that it will be filed under ‘too difficult’ by the BHA a bit like the Panorama programmes but hopefully if people who genuinely care about the sport keep the pressure up(send them an email to obyrne@britishhorseracing.com) something will have to be done. Where are Channel 4 on this issue? Its the kind of thing that the strangely sidelined McCririck would instinctively be raging about.Change the rule or uphold it but doing nothing is not an option.

By: Shaun

Shaun — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:28:39 +0000

Bert can you please get Peter Brezovan signed up, January is approaching fast, he is out of contract at the end of the season and we will loose him for nothing. His agents PR machine is already in full flow using the boards refusal to offer Brez a new contract as a way of attracting other clubs!! Just get him signed, if we want to move the club forward than its important we keep our best players and when the inevitable does happen then at least we will get a fee.

By: will

will — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:18:42 +0000

I am completly with Roger on this matter don’t let the matter die. Neutral (i.e. not owned by anyone with another runner) pacemakers in group 1’s - not ideal but it could be an answer.

By: villian

villian — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 08:05:59 +0000

It seems that the BHA is not so obsessed with enforcing the rules.
If this is the case the solution is clear ‘if you can’t beat em join em’
It looks like as far as the BHA is concered it’s ‘devil take the hindmost’ and ‘britannia waves the rules’ so we go forward with that in mind

By: Mick

Mick — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 07:28:52 +0000

David Ashforth covers this issue in today’s Racing Post (P14) and says, ‘How the Newmarket stewards reached the conclusion that the rule had not been breached is beyond me’. However, there’s still no word from the BHA to acknowledge the error, which is disappointing.