Intent - A Thesis

Success in racing is often a function of Intent. Unfortunately the connections and punters are often at cross purposes in this matter. "I think I can" is an enabling thought, and vice versa. Gun rider James McDonald oozed confidence when winning on Centre Pivot, a horse he'd ridden to victory at it's past two starts. Down in the weights, he was expecting to win, and rode accordingly. Using much of his consummate skill, he saved ground at a critical juncture, cut the corner while building momentum and gained victory with a decisive thrust. Later in the programme, Punters observed subtle and sophisticated traits that connections would have failed to realise, and this failure was to have a telling result. Inz'n'out was truckloaded, based upon superior fitness, brilliant last-start figures recorded in inferior ground, and an advantageous racing style. However connections failed their test of nerve. Up against "better performed" 3yos, most of whom were resuming from spells, Jimmy Mac appeared to lack the punters' confidence, and lost the race from the start, cancelling the horses aces from the barrier. Confidence is the name of the game. How often do we see an established "wet-tracker" succeed on dry ground erroneously described as wet, simply because trainer and rider expected the horse to perform well? Conversely, winnning attributes are often negated by trainer/jockey negativity; going too slowly/ridden too conservatively because of a weight rise/distance increase or wide barrier.