I had a manifesto for Part 2 but the power is out and I'm on my phone.
Washmepockets in the 4th @ Melton on Saturday night was given ZERO chance by young Brosnan. Both the driver nor the trainer had put much thought into winning if three fenced was their plan. If I were the owner I would be paying only three of the four weeks due this month. This horse missed the start 50m four starts earlier and very nearly won the Cobram Cup. Three starts earlier he parked outside Ballarat Cup winning Mah Sish, eyeballed him from the 900m, 26.9 3Q !!, 27.8 home finishing within 5m in a 1.56MR for 2240m.
Back from a couple more Country Cups into a M1 - M3 Mobile from the 2. Outside the Fav, who is very good but drawn three out on the BL, Washmepockets was the clear second elect and only viable threat. The lead wasn't there, Justice drawn inside with a stablemate trailing, so after allowing the outside couple to find their position surely it's all eyes on the Fav before making a move. Two scenarios, get the 1-1 trailing Smolda or if National Gallery is out in front of the Fav, park her. If the Fav is good enough to peel 4 wide off that kind of cover, to run you down, all kudos to him.
It wasn't just the decision to go three fenced. Persevering for the sprint lane with no thought of otherwise when the trailing horse was going nowhere from the 400m was as bad.
My manifesto must wait but this is an example. I'm talking through my kick but it's a blatantly obvious one and it's repeated far too often and without question.
I'm not done : )