Why it pays to think positive when the going gets tough

Do you ever watch racing with complete novices? If you do, you are probably familiar with the question: is my horse winning?

Of course, it doesn't work like that, you have to explain. Then you might tell them about how not all horses could possibly lead and that the ones at the back are saving energy or something, and that jockeys make their moves at different times according to their judgement or their instructions. You might also add in a note of all the times you've heard people at the track cheering a 'winner' when there is still a circuit to go.

Or you might just point to the screen and say: there it is, in third, wearing the red cap. To which the response is normally: "You mean the jockey is."