October
FebruaryToo harsh
Caroline Searcy’s instant reaction on TVN to Steve Arnold’s ride on Godspeed was poor. She claimed Arnold held up the horse for too long. Rubbish — you don’t have to stand in the irons and belt them a la Jimmy Johnson or thrash them the way Craig Newitt used to to let a horse down.
Arnold was perfectly poised to win the race — with a tightening of the knees and the use of his hands he had the horse flat out before McEvoy had moved. Therefore, had Godspeed been sharp enough over the trip he would have won
Remember, Caroline, thousands of TVN’s fans watch the race and replays and your comments may unfortunately provoke some to form opinions contrary to this jockey’s magnificent, well established record. Leave the critiques to Richard Callander — when he bags a jock they generally deserve it and he doesn’t do it in an inflammatory manner.
Caroline may say Gerald Ryan agrees and so do the owners, who are hellbent on a Slipper for quick return. But if the horse can win a Caulfield Guineas or VRC or AJC Derby, and I think he can, you might all thank Arnold for teaching him how to race.
Goldsborough Valley (Qld)