ALL THE WAY FROM MUMBAI: I’m still at the Asian Racing Conference in Mumbai and it’s been a brilliant few days. This has been a real eye opener for me. I have learnt a huge amount already, so much so that my head could explode but I have to say that networking is quite fun.
The important topics for me at the conference was how the media works now in the 21st century and how we can broaden our audience to the younger generation. We’re not looking for them to just work in the industry but to be followers of the sport. We need to capture them as an audience, that’s the challenge I suppose. The Hong Kong Jockey Club seem to have done this and they are definitely the most advanced. They game some good ideas, which would be no surprise, so we’ll have to see how we can integrate into our sport at home.
I met some wonderful people here this week and it makes you realise how much work goes on behind the scene in Racing. Us jockeys do receive a good chunk of the glory but in reality, we’re just a tiny part of it in the greater scheme of things.
ONTO THE RACING BACK HOME
Looking ahead to tomorrow, there’s a few horses to note on the Flat, over jumps and in Meydan.
Starting with the main race of the day, the Cotswolds Chase at Cheltenham which is off at 1.50. This looks like it should give a few pointers for the Gold Cup, especially with Djakadam in the line up. He was second in last year’s Gold Cup and started out with a good win over a much shorter trip in Punchestown. This should put him right for the Festival.
Although, Many Clouds was a charity bet for me in last year’s Grand National, so I’d like him to win, but I don’t think he’ll be beating Djakadam.
Over in Dubai, at Meydan, I’m looking forward to seeing Blue Creek run at 1.10. He’s the baby in the field
with one run but he did beat his elders last time out and he’s sure to improve. Street Cry has a great record with horses he’s sired winning on the Dirt so I’m hoping that he’ll add to his record.
On the All Weather at Lingfield, I’m not going to go with Forceful Appeal again, even though he won for us last week. He seems to be at his peak on ratings, as are a few of the runners in this one.
The one that could have a little bit in hand is Spiritual Star. He’s a previous Course and Distance winner and that was off a higher mark so he might just have a little bit extra up his sleeve. As I’ve said before, course and distance is always a good marker to use.
So, when we’ve collected our winnings from that race, we can move onto the Apprentice Handicap at 4.30. There’s some really good Apprentice jockey’s around this winter so it will be interesting to watch this race from that respect. I’ve gone for the youngest horse in the field, Exalted. He’s a lightly raced sort and looks like he could be the potential improver in the field and he’s only carrying 2lbs extra for his most recent victory.
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