October
DecemberI can't win
I rode a horse called Man With a Plan to win on the sand track at Alice Springs on November 28. He needed strong riding to keep him travelling into dirt kickback from around the 800m mark.
Before I rode him again last Saturday, the stewards reminded me of the new whip rules.
I rode to these rules.
When I was losing ground in the back straight due to the kickback I could only give him two hits with the whip. He didn’t respond after I stopped with the whip, so I opted to sit four wide to avoid the kickback. He was able to improve into the race but covered extra ground.
He ran a close fourth, two lengths from the winner. I believe my ride cost this horse every winning chance. In effect I rode him to be beaten. I had no choice, as now you can’t use your whip if needed to push horses along in a race.
What do I say to my owners, and all the punters that lost money?
“Sorry guys, but I get fined or suspended if I ride otherwise.”
I know of two horses retired after last weekend’s races, and more owners considering whether it’s worth continuing.
Trainers are going to lose horses, and punters are already looking to gamble elsewhere. Turnover will suffer because of this.
I love race riding, but will miss the next Alice Springs meeting as I seriously reconsider continuing.
I do not intentionally ride badly and I do not ride to lose.
But this is what’s happening throughout Australia now.
Alice Springs (NT)