MY CALL - IT'S TIME FOR BLACK CAVIAR TO BE GIVEN A FRESH CHALLENGE

By David Fowler | Tuesday, October 25, 2011

David Fowler is the principal thoroughbred caller for Radio TAB, taking the position upon Wayne Wilson's retirement last August. David, who is a keen form student and punter, has enjoyed a lifetime involvement in the racing media. His personal blog, ‘My Call’, appears exclusively on HRO.

Could the love affair be just starting to wane?

For racing hardheads maybe yes, but for the general public apparently not.

What were your impressions of Black Caviar's fifteenth straight win at Moonee Valley on Saturday?

For me, it was pretty so-so. Three rivals and nothing more than a glorified barrier trial.

It seems the good place prize-money on offer can't even entice owners to front up against her.

I believe the racing hard-heads want her to rise to another challenge. I believe the general public don't care and just love her presence.

So how can we knock that?

She has nothing to prove to anyone, but it was exciting when she was making Hay List look second rate.

Since then, the numbers and the quality of the numbers just don't stack up and the wins become a little more hollow.

I'm prepared to say it. Many will think it and won't say it.

Bring on Royal Ascot.

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I laugh at those who say allotting a spare barrier alongside Black Caviar is a trivial matter and those who criticize it are making it a storm in a teacup.

Rubbish. That decision should be derided by any racing enthusiast worth his or her salt.

If Moody and connections were unhappy with the way the marble fell, scratch her.

If Here De Angels is such a barrier rat-bag, scratch him.

But option C, which is what the stipes took, is not on.

You play by the rules in the racing game. You don't bend them to give preferential treatment to one runner.

They have set a precedent and I hope the precedent is tested to see what stipes will do next time around.

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The trots have a good idea when it comes to barrier rogues.

The simply put them out of the draw. You will see often see a trotter with the tag O/D against his name and drawn outside the field.

That doesn't mean they are there for life. If they behave themselves they are normally "back in the draw" after one or two runs.

Why couldn't it be done in the gallops? Food for thought.

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Why do stewards accept every explanation when they inquire into an improved performance?

They are to be applauded in taking the initiative … some would say they are simply doing their job … but even the lamest explanations are just taken on board with "no further correspondence" entered in to.

Honestly, you read some reports and it is cringe-worthy reading the explanation given by the trainer and sometimes the jockey. Yet they just accept it … every time.

Surely, occasionally, the stipes could issue a warning that if a horse does not maintain some consistency, they may look at standing it down or requesting it trial before starting again.

Two metropolitan winners turned in stunning form reversals last week and to make matters worse for the average punter they didn't go unnoticed in the betting.

I'm not putting two and two together either, but let me say the explanations given were pathetic yet the stipes' panel each time accepted them glibly.

It's not good enough.

Until next week.

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