Drill Baby Drill, or should that be Snap, Run or Think
Devastating… RIP David Hockney. A very good egg who smoked copiously, refused a gong, was eccentric in spades and talented beyond comprehension. He was always himself and pleased to be so, and his ability to prick the pomposity of the art world benefited all those who ever admired or loathed a work and were kowtowed into silence. Much admired by anyone who loved art.
WTF. Please, someone, explain to me, because I fear I am losing my marbles. This happened this week in the 5:03 pm race at Yarmouth: https://www.facebook.com/reel/2114844465738765
The Stewards deem the poor beast a runner… on what planet does a reared horse, which was up on two legs and sans jockey, before the stall opened, become capable of winning? STUPID STUPID STUPID. This is simply mind-boggingly crass, entirely foreseeable, easily resolvable… but hang on, it’s the BHA, so no, none of those things is possible.
I repeat for the Nth time. Introduce a rule for all codes that the flag man must be positioned 50m from the start point, or as agreed with the Local course inspectorate. Every horse must pass that position mounted to be deemed a runner. Of course, there will be some attempts at shenanigans, but a simple stand-down and/or fines for frequency by jockey, trainer or horse would resolve that in the main. Benvenuto Cellini’s being pulled up would thus be the jockey’s decision, borne out by the stall CCTV showing the issue. Thursday’s near-tragic accident would have required no interference by stewards nor explanation by the jockey. It’s called Common Sense.
