Racing 1

The Starting Jungle is fascinating.  On Hennessy day at Newbury   the 1.50 was a 17-runner hurdle race.   The field came on to the course from the “holding area” in a long thin procession which set out across the track from the midfield, heading towards the stands – walking. When the leaders were approaching the rails ahead of them, the rearmost horses were safely on the track. Suddenly, no doubt in response to instructions, every horse  turned left. There we had seventeen horses in line abreast walking towards the tapes – and the start was perfect. I said a little thank you to St Jude, the patron saint of hopeless causes. The penny had dropped at last!

Nothing could be further from the truth. An hour later the field of 21 went down to the start for the Hennessy, and there we saw all the worst ramifications of horse-mismanagement that  have become so typical when large fields are involved.  They were jogged round, bundled up, then chased in small circles, while they waited for start time.  One step forward, ten steps back.

If management can do the job properly, with horses walking, and not being harried from pillar to post (perfect starts, as was the case with the last Grand National and with the first example I have described in this article), why  do they insist on reverting to the really disgraceful procedures to which they seem addicted? Bear in mind that I do not blame  the starters – responsibility for this nonsense rests further up the food chain.

Another intriguing aspect of the matter is this:  the procedures adopted before the Hennessy would never be allowed by trainers on their home territory. So why do they allow their horses to be mistreated in this way on the racecourse without protesting?

Racing 2

We at Donec are not entirely convinced that the wicked Ahern (10 years) is twenty-five percent more wicked than the wicked Zaroonie (8 years) and a hundred  percent more wicked than the wicked Butler (5 years). If that is a fair criticism, would it not be reasonable to suggest to the BHA that the role of a justice department is, in part, to promote justice, not simply to rubber-stamp the possibly draconian philosophy of the department’s management. The man in the street is inclined to be reassured by proportionality of sentencing, which seems to be missing in this instance.

Rugby Union.

Donec  looks forward to the Six Nations with great expectations. It is our belief that Australia’s performance in the autumn internationals has made an impression on the northern hemisphere. In particular the Australians seemed to have worked out how to play the breakdown at full throttle, while remaining within the rules. At the same time their open play showed a magical quality (a combination of  strategy, cunning, technical ability, boldness and flair) such as has not been seen since 1971. If northern sides can tap into just half of the improvements which are up for grabs in the Wallaby game, the result will be delightful to play, delightful to watch.

Association Football 1

Information Technology makes everything  available to everyone at the press of a button. Such being the case, we find it amazing  that so many senior managers in England’s soccer world have failed to recognise the way the game has developed in the last five years. I refer to the  passing of the football. Spurs, Arsenal and England, for example, pass the ball in the same leisurely and elegant fashion that has been characteristic of those sides since the Flood. They seem to be completely unaware (except in moments of defeat) of the fact that all over the world  the pass is nowadays being launched at a hundred miles an hour without losing anything in the way of accuracy, and the hundred mph pass is being trapped with consummate ease by players who have upped their game for that very purpose.   All in all, I suggest that all English footie fans should prepare themselves for the worst  in the year ahead.

Association Football 2

More about passing. The significant pass, the one that can open up a defence and lead to a goal, is also vulnerable to interception. So it’s only for the brave. Steven Gerard is brave, but too many of his colleagues are not. They settle for the sideways (or backwards) tap which cannot get them into trouble, but does nothing to win the game. Here’s an area where there is a need for  brave managers as well as brave players. The greatest sporting coach ever, Carwyn James (Lions 1971) told his players that possession of the ball entitled them to attack from any part of the field. Football coaches could do worse than to consider promoting that attitude.

In general terms, we at Donec expect an interesting 2014. We think British Racing is alive and kicking, and for the most part in good hands. We are  also hopeful about the state of the nation, although the prime minister is seen as a liability, and we would like to see the back of him.

Happy New Year.