Originally Posted by
Boydy
Marty, I'm afraid the punters vs owners story is a bit like the chicken and the egg story, neither would be doing with out each other although spending a night at Maitland you realise that there is a core group of trainers/drivers that would do it even if they were racing for ribbons. The facts are however anyone who puts their hand in their pocket to buy and race a horse are certainly not doing it to get rich.
The thing that I object to most is that if you follow the form you should have a good idea where your horse is going to land in a race, you don't need to be told. If there is a race with a number of horses with gate speed and you think you might take a sit and when the gate moves away the speed isn't as hot as you think it was going to be. I want my driver going forward. But if they had to commit before the race and are oblidged to go back even if it means they are not giving your horse the best chance they are tied to a pre race commitment. Think about that, driving a horse so it does not have its best chance of winning because you fear being suspended because you said you were going back. It is crazy!!!
Geulph led in the 1000 guineas yesterday for the first time and the jockey was praised for showing iniative. Change of Tactics is by far the worst rule in harness racing.