October
AprilDamned if he did ...
Shaun O’Donnell has been particularly singled out for criticism regarding his allegedly too passive ride on Luckygray in the William Reid Stakes.
For example, on 2KY’s Punters Post Mortem Deane Lester said that O’Donnell should have kicked up inside Karuta Queen in the early stages of the race. (Ron Dufficy seemed to agree.)
This criticism is facile. For a start, Luckygray has virtually never led in his racing life, and kicking up would have involved him at the very least in a short duel with Karuta Queen (a horse with much more natural early speed), with Black Caviar taking a sit just behind.
It is not at all clear that this would have been in the interests of Luckygray’s best chance of winning the race.
Secondly, Luckygray was second up, at an unsuitable distance, and no doubt aiming at races of longer distances down the track.
Even though he jumped well, to kick up with the aim of preventing Karuta Queen from crossing would have arguably been counterproductive not only for his chances in that particular race, but also taking a risk with his normal pattern for future races.
This debate is skewed by the seeming invulnerability of Black Caviar. You do not sacrificially ride your own horse to beat Black Caviar, you ride it to maximise its own chances of gaining the best possible placing. If that turns out to be only good enough to run second or third to her, then so be it.
Parkville (Vic)