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DAVID CARR |
Weblog: What do you mean the Wi-Fi doesn't work? The life of a Racing Post reporter
Tough day for some
Dangerous place Southwell. The fibresand surface makes for a gruelling test, it's never easy for a horse to last out and those who look home and hosed can always get beaten. A lesson that plenty of punters paid an awful lot to learn this afternoon.
Like those involved in staking over £65,000 in running on Cotton Trader at odds of 1-10 or shorter in the maiden - he was going well at the time but he wasfar from past the post. It was no coincidence that he'd been a beaten favourite on his previous four starts and he was caught late on.
Or those who backed Effervesce at 1-9 after she hit the front 2f out in a 1m4f handicap - that was plenty early enough and she too was reeled in.
Bad news for those whose money forced her odds from a morning 13-2 into 2-1 favourite at the off - though joint-owners Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith are the financial powerhouses behind the mighty Coolmore empire so I suspect they'll get over it.
Just goes to show you don't need hordes of runners to make for an interesting day.
Only 35 went to post all day but three of them arrived as ten-time course winners and two went home with 11 victories to their name, including La Estrella who's never been beaten here.
It must be spring. Not only was the sun shining and the temperature about 10C warmer than it has been. But I also came within inches of treading on a ladybird before racing.
So it's the time of year when subscriptions for the Horserace Writers & Photographers Association fall due (take that as less-than-subtle hint ifyou are a member).
Each post brings a slew of cheques, with an assortment of application forms which provide an intriguing insight into members' lives.
There's the one filled in with beautiful copper plate writing,which makes you believe there is at least one guy in the HWPA who is a medieval monk and relies on a quill pen rather than a laptop.
And one printed on a recycled piece of paper, the other side of which contains a letter vigorously contesting the calumny of a recent parking fine - 'Quite why the ticket was issued in the first place is totally beyond me - although I have to say this is not the first time your parking wardens have issued me with a fine in error. I sincerely hope I will not have to waste further time in resolving this.'
Let's hope justice prevailed.
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