Shoes (Rabattache)

Tighten the rules, by all means. As it stands the trainer and/or connections can't really be blamed for putting themselves first. It is only human nature.

The facts.....

THE STIPENDIARY STEWARDS REPORTED

a) After consultation with Assistant Trainer B Donnelly, acting on behalf of Trainer G Puller, and the Veterinary Surgeon at the start, the off fore shoe was removed from RABATTACHE (C Puller) After the removal of the shoe the horse was examined by the Veterinary Surgeon and the gelding raced unshod in front.

b) Jockey C Puller, the rider of RABATTACHE, reported that the gelding did not stride out freely in running. The Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine the gelding on its return to the unsaddling enclosure.

THE VETERINARY SURGEON REPORTED

a) RABATTACHE (C Puller) was examined at the start and declared fit to race unshod in front. (Dr M Ledger)

b) RABATTACHE (C Puller) was examined post race and no abnormalities were detected. (Dr J Charles)

I think JAP's suggestion is outstanding that we "scratch" the horse for betting purposes, and the connections can decide whether or not they want to run for the stakes, but out of the betting.

We have to consider what the rules should be, and a great test of the rule would be PP in the Met when the system is under the greatest pressure to get it right. 100,000 people there to see him run and hopefully win, but also he carries tens of millions of public money.

IF the same were to happen to PP as Rabattache, but with "scratched" from the betting, then punters are protected on the tote, all bets are cancelled and the rules apply. One can re-negotiate a new bet at new odds with your bookmaker if you want, or reinvest elsewhere.

It's a great idea, and the "right" thing to do...brilliant. (And we have precedents in North and South America, where this happens all the time, and even here where a first-timer runs out of the P6 betting). Wish I had thought of it.

magiclips Wrote:

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> Tighten the rules, by all means. As it stands the
> trainer and/or connections can't really be blamed
> for putting themselves first. It is only human
> nature.

Doh!
Exactly why they should not have to make the call...they are a tad biased!

Have you noticed how the referee is from a different nation in a test?

The referee doesn't own or feed the team, Jack, so I don't think that analogy really works.

Magic,

you disagree that the horse should be allowed to run for stakes only (which would look after the few), but you happy that the many (punters) should not be taken care of.

Why is that?

I never said that. I said it is not that simple. There are proprietary issues which you cannot just wish away. Given the current lax rules the owner, through his appointed agent the trainer or assistant trainer, exercised his option to do with his property as he wished. I am in favour of jacking up the rules rather than confuse punters (many of whom are, um, a bit unsophisticated) with horses running that can't be bet on.

Surely the game should be run by rules which punters are forced to adapt to and not vice versa.

Make the rules and let people live by them,whomever they may be,punters,trainers,jockeys etc.

Race administrators are full of excuses in this country.There are so many examples of things we can't get right because excuses are continually made as opposed to finding solutions.Personally I am tired of trying to make suggestions for the betterment of racing,there is always a counter argument that includes some or other excuse as to why things can't get done.

I have made marketing suggestions,handicapping suggestions,rule suggestions and the like and have now reached the point where I will leave all these to the very clever people who know better and who run racing.

It is very simple - the punters provide the funds from which racing is run and therefore all decisions and rules should consider the punters interests first and the other stakeholders thereafter (except where peoples or horses safety are concerned). It seems in SA it is often the other way around. The owners and trainers are forever moaning about the poor stakes, the best way to increase them is to put the punters first.

.

Blindly following money horses is not a good idea, but that's a different subject.