25/10/2002 edition

Jockey Watch:
Treat with Caution

Senior jockey Darryl McLellan's had an off day at Randwick last Saturday.

The second race of the day was a 3YO restricted event run over 1800 metres. It was a small field of six. In a slowly run race McLellan sat three wide throughout on the $2.25 favourite Lashed. He made no effort to go forward.

On Sky Racing Richard Freedman commented:

"Grahame Begg (the trainer) will skin that jockey alive. That is just a poor ride. I don't care what anyone says but you have to be a superhorse to travel like that."

The stewards opened an enquiry into McLellan's ride of Lavishly, which was adjourned, so they could examine the betting ledgers on the race from all venues. There was some money at Randwick for the winner Noble Spur, which firmed from $2.60 to $2.35.

In the seventh race of the day, a Listed Handicap run over 1000 metres, McLellan was on the heavily backed Can't Tackle, who had been plunged first up from $8.00 to start at $5.50.

In the barriers a jockey calms his mount and also helps it keep its mind on the job so it jumps away on even terms with the field. On jumping away in the sprint, the race was all over for Can't Tackle who lost his footing. When things aren't going well you could say that bad luck even follows the jockey.

But worse was to come. In the next race, a restricted event for horses 4YO and Upwards, McLellan was on the highly promising John O'Shea trained gelding Al Berg. This lightly raced 4YO had won its last start by seven lengths with Darren Beadman in the saddle.

On track Al Berg was plunged from $3.50 to start a very short priced favourite at $2.60. Punters obviously were not prepared for what was about to unfold.

In that 1400 metres race McLellan was leading the field by around eight lengths at the 500. Early in the straight Al Berg was spent and limped in last of the 12 runners, beaten by 12 lengths.

McLellan told the stewards that approaching the 1000 Al Berg took charge of him. He knew the pace was too fast but the horse refused to come back underneath him. Put in simple language, McLellan lost control of his mount. Darren Beadman didn't have that problem when he rode the horse. The horse had an off day and became fired up when McLellan rode it.

At present punters accept poor rides as just bad luck when they bet on horses. One of these days when it can demonstrated beyond any reasonable doubt that a jockey's ride was incompetent we will not be surprised if a large punter takes legal action against the jockey for not giving his wager a fair chance to succeed.

This edition of Punt to Win:
Northerly wins Caulfield Cup
Jockey watch - poor rides at Randwick
Watch these horses from Caulfield
Handicapping tips - weight and class
Money talks - Randwick plunge horses
Money talks - Caulfield plunge horses
Money talks - Eagle Farm plunge horses
Money talks - Victoria Park plunge horses
Future winners - unlucky horses
Punt to Win 18/10/2002
Punt to Win index

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