Newmarket 2000 Guinaes

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Elf On A Shelf

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It's that time of year again where the flat season really kicks off.

The current favourite is a Godolphin horse - Dawn Approach - trained by John Oxx.

Personally I would like Mars to win - just 'cos!
 
Last time I went was when Zafonic won and he looked magnificent in the paddock and on the course. Dawn Approach was a good winner today and is trained in Ireland by Jim Bolger so is far away from the Newmarket scandals. Mo didn't want to comment on the BHA handling of the case and Mark Johnston didn't want to comment on steroid use even in his capacity as a vet.
 
Quite right too. The question should never have been asked of either of them today.

Dawn Approach looked the winner from a long way out. Lovely horse, love his blaze!
 
He can and shouldn't have been asked any questions.

Just find it amusing that he (of all people) did a Harvey...
 
Of course he could and should have been asked questions, it's news and he's not above the rules even though he thinks he is. The look he gave Clare, I think she was lucky not to be stoned for the temerity of it! Doing a Harvey was very grown up of course and shows exactly what he thinks of the racing authorities which won't have endeared him to a lot of people. I can't be the only one who thinks every one of his horses should have been barred from racing in this country for a few months in light of this case and if he had been anyone else they would have been.
I thought MJ's reply was correct especially if he's part of the panel if I heard right.
 
Bonnie, I agree. It is a sad fact of life (however nothing new) that great wealth will most often insulate one from the consequences of all but the most egregious behavior.
 
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Maesfen said:
Of course he could and should have been asked questions, it's news and he's not above the rules even though he thinks he is. The look he gave Clare, I think she was lucky not to be stoned for the temerity of it! Doing a Harvey was very grown up of course and shows exactly what he thinks of the racing authorities which won't have endeared him to a lot of people. I can't be the only one who thinks every one of his horses should have been barred from racing in this country for a few months in light of this case and if he had been anyone else they would have been.
I thought MJ's reply was correct especially if he's part of the panel if I heard right.
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He was never going to answer any questions about doping though so what was the point. I think Clare thought the same, but I guess it's her job to at least try.....
 
bonny said:
He was never going to answer any questions about doping though so what was the point. I think Clare thought the same, but I guess it's her job to at least try.....
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But wouldn't he have come over better if he had rather than show everyone what an arrogant ****** he actually is that thinks he's above everyone else. How on earth can anyone trust anything from the Dubai mafia running on its own merit after this?
 
Maesfen said:
Of course he could and should have been asked questions, it's news and he's not above the rules even though he thinks he is. The look he gave Clare, I think she was lucky not to be stoned for the temerity of it! Doing a Harvey was very grown up of course and shows exactly what he thinks of the racing authorities which won't have endeared him to a lot of people. I can't be the only one who thinks every one of his horses should have been barred from racing in this country for a few months in light of this case and if he had been anyone else they would have been.
I thought MJ's reply was correct especially if he's part of the panel if I heard right.
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I don't mean shouldn't as in 'let's not talk about it, it's all hush hush' but more shouldn't as in what's the point? He was never going to answer them, his press interviews are never good tbh and it just made the whole thing go from 'yay celebration' to very very awkward and put a bad light on the wrong people... aka Channel 4 being stoned to death by a glare.

I think MJ is on the panel and he's also a vet if I heard that bit right.

But sadly though, as that BBC article I linked to points out, he/they/those stables provide a lot of employment in Newmarket. Money talks sadly.
 
I think all the fuss about steroids will just be allowed to go away now....it has to and it will become yesterdays news very quickly. There is too much at stake to do anything else.
 
bonny said:
I think all the fuss about steroids will just be allowed to go away now....it has to and it will become yesterdays news very quickly. There is too much at stake to do anything else.
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Quite right, money talks and too many people have too much to loose by p...ing off SM too much. The vast majority of flat racing in Britain today is heavily reliant on foreign owners.Let's hope that NH doesn't go the same way, unlikely as doubt they see it as glamorous enough!
 
Thinking about "The Flat", and now that we've reached the end of the season's NH fixtures, am I the only one who finds flat racing a bit of a bore? :o

Alec.
 
Alec Swan said:
Thinking about "The Flat", and now that we've reached the end of the season's NH fixtures, am I the only one who finds flat racing a bit of a bore? :o

Alec.
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Sorry, Alec. Flat racing is THE only racing ;) NH? Cantering round in the mud and rain and spectators freezing to death in the stands? Not to mention horses having horrible falls . . . . . . no thanks!
 
Alec, for the next six months my RacingUK sub is a waste of money, I am with you, flat racing is dull, dull, dull!
The best flat race is a 2 year old maiden fillies race, watching them go in the stalls is fun!
 
Every year I try to enjoy flat racing. My interest usually lasts until a couple of weeks after the Guineas and then fizzles out. No matter how hard I try, it still never really does anything for me :(
 
happyhunter123 said:
Every year I try to enjoy flat racing. My interest usually lasts until a couple of weeks after the Guineas and then fizzles out. No matter how hard I try, it still never really does anything for me :(
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I only ever watch the top races - Guinaes, Derby, some of Ascot, Breeders Cup. That's about it.

I'm glad Hughsey FINALLY won a British classic today in the 1000! It's taken him long enough but he did it in style, it was a nice wee filly, Sky Lantern, and a grey to boot!
 
Alec Swan said:
Thinking about "The Flat", and now that we've reached the end of the season's NH fixtures, am I the only one who finds flat racing a bit of a bore? :o

Alec.
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I DO TOO!!!!! glad its not just me!!!

Its alright I guess but compared to NH yes its a bore!!! Plus its more about the money, less about the heart in my opinion as well as being a lot less hardcore. Probably because the prize money is about 10x higher than NH!
 
Alec Swan said:
Thinking about "The Flat", and now that we've reached the end of the season's NH fixtures, am I the only one who finds flat racing a bit of a bore? :o

Alec.
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You are not alone. Paint drying would capture my attention more. Even hurdles I find a bit dull. NH is the only thing worth watching IMO (plus the horses are proper jobs, not spindly little matchstick legged babies)
 
Flat racing is a bore to me, hurdles I find terrifying to watch.

Jump racing, GN aside, is exhilarating and beautiful to watch, although largely the type of chaser has changed for the worse down the years I think.
 
Maesfen said:
Quite right Alec, with you all the way and at least 'our' purpose bred horses aren't asked to work when they're only two.
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I'm in this camp! The whole emphasis of Thoroughbred breeding has been aimed towards the lighter, faster, inbred lunatics now presently locked up in racing yards anything up 23hours a day and broken to the saddle at far too young an age.

Yes, it is thrilling to see that burst of speed that only youngster have but I would much prefer to see "proper" Horses with a bit of bone about them becoming the desired form.

I also have a few detrimental things to say about Hurdling in general because it can be used as alternative employment for a failed Flat runner - that just might be able to jump a bit - well, he can sort of, lift his feet when something gets in his way more like.
 
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Are these the only FEI endurance races in Britain, and is this venue the only one to have cancelled their races? I'm very much hoping that there is a problem with the venue and not the more sinister explanation...
 
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