FROM MY PERSPECTIVE - MEETING ABANDONED BUT MY RIDING SCHEDULE REMAINED AS BUSY AS EVER
By Michael Cahill | Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Five-time Group 1 winning jockey Michael Cahill is the latest addition to the HRO blogging stable. Apart from Australia, Michael has ridden in the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, Macau, Malaysia, South Korea and Mauritius. He brings thirty-three years of race riding experience to the game and with this greater all-around experience Michael is superbly qualified to give insightful commentary on the racing scene. Michael’s personal blog, ‘From my perspective’ will appear every Wednesday on HRO.
The meeting at Doomben was abandoned on Saturday but it was anything but a day off for me as I had six rides at the Toowoomba meeting that evening.
There was no helicopter flight to take us there as had been publicised. That was going to happen if the Doomben meeting was on but I think the flight was cancelled once Brisbane was called off. It suited me better because I could go straight back to the Gold Coast after the Toowoomba meeting.
A day off for a lot of people turned into a long night for me. I got home at ten to one in the morning. I was up again at seven. I had to get into a hot bath to sweat because I had a 54kg ride at Caloundra, which I don’t normally take on Sundays … and I had about a forty minute lie-down before I got into the car to head up to the Sunshine Coast.
So things were pretty hectic there for a while.
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The Sunshine Coast meeting had been switched to the Cushion Track. I was lucky enough to come away with four winners on the day (including the 54kg carrying Catalonia) which obviously made the commitment worthwhile.
Generally that cushion track surface seems to attract smaller fields. Small fields, not just on synthetic surfaces but wherever they appear, sometimes set an interesting poser for the rider.
In theory it should make your task in the saddle easier … and I feel generally speaking they do that … but there is no set rule.
At times it can complicate matters, for example when they go too slow because there is a lack of pace which places more onus on the rider in terms of any decision-making process.
Alternatively your horse could be affected by the circumstances. Some horses don’t switch off the way they do in a bigger field where they get covered up.
Catalonia was a good example of that. She didn’t really switch off in her race. She travelled quite keenly outside the leader. In a bigger field she gets back further and just switches off totally.
It’s just as easy to get pocketed or caught out somewhere else in a small field as it is in any race so you have got to have your wits about you!
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In Sydney, Black Caviar took things to another level again in a record breaking run.
She really showed what she could do on Saturday. She is a freak!
She didn’t have everything her own way this time. It certainly wasn’t handed to her on a plate, which has been a criticism in some of her runs.
I think she was actually taken out of her usual comfort zone and she showed she is just a champion … an out and out champion.
Because of Black Caviar’s profile and brilliance, the win of It’s A Dundeel in the Derby didn’t get the coverage it was due.
He is a champion three-year-old colt in his own right. He’s proven that and to win a race like the Derby by six lengths in the casual manner he did speaks volumes for his ability.
He is a really good horse.
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Changes to race distances and the switching of venues for some of the upcoming carnival fixtures have attracted some comment.
There is a Pattern Committee who reviews and adjudicates on the upgrading or downgrading of certain Group and Listed races and that function is reasonable enough.
With regard to any other tinkering of those events, I have to say that I am a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to racing so I’m not a big fan of any changes other than through the means I’ve already mentioned.
I think tradition has been a powerful force in making racing what it is … and adding to the prestige and aura of individual big races. I’d like to see that continue.
Tradition is built over time. Take a race like the Stradbroke. It has been a 1400m handicap for years and years … and similarly there is the Caulfield Cup or a Cox Plate or a Melbourne Cup … they all have a rich tradition behind them.
So, as you will have guessed already, I am not in agreement with any changes to the conditions of the Stradbroke that might be touted in the proposed review that is set to follow this year’s running of the event.
The weight-for-age runners are catered for with the Group 1, Doomben 10 000, so why mess with the Stradbroke?
I’d like to see it left the way it is.
It should remain a handicap!
Till next week,
Michael
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