Not the thunder and the lightning and the torrential…
What is “rumbling on” is the bizarre tale of the Derby favourite who ran in the race, finished 10th, and was then deemed a non runner…
We took a 2-year-old to Goodwood recently. Vesper Honey. Pat Cosgrave up. The excellent Craig Witheford had been with us a few days previously to put several through the stalls. Vesper Honey was good to load but became a touch agitated. And so we engaged the blanket that plenty use to help at the stalls….
At Goodwood, our filly wandered in with the blanket on. But as the stalls opened, several moments that were hard to comprehend as she stood stock still. At first sight, it seemed that there might have been an issue with the blanket. Who knows ?? Unlike with Benvenuto Cellini, ITV did not have a camera in Vesper Honey’s starting stall…
All chance gone. Left several lengths. Pat C allowed his mount to come home in her own time…
With all chance compromised, and in light of Saturday’s Stewards decision, should Vesper Honey have been deemed a non runner as she had nil chance of being involved ? She was not favourite – but that is not the point. She had nil chance – much less chance of being involved than Saturday’s Derby favourite who was slowly away but hardly impossibly so…
And did she have a leg in the wrong place, or was the blanket not doing its job properly…??
Those who had a pound or three each way on our filly had absolutely no run for their money…
And if she had been deemed a non runner, maidens and novices open to “those who have not run” would still be an option for her…
Confusing and “cans of worms” and the setting of dangerous precedents….
Whilst on the subject of “confusing”, a couple of telephone conversations on the drive home with wise folk who are deeply embedded and invested in our sport. And who share my immense frustration at the “clunky” and antiquated onboarding process for new owners. As yet another dull BHA led email drops into a potential owner’s inbox, the refrain of “this is meant to be fun” rings loud….
We have a rudderless entity at the helm. With no leadership – and none, it would appear imminent…
Thankfully, folk who care deeply are working away in the background. The ludicrously expensive and over budget Racing Digital is nearly with us – and whilst the finances make no sense, there is at least the hope that this will make the new owner experience several degrees easier than it is at present…
Any other sport make it so hard for new folk to become embedded and engaged….????
