The introduction of a tactical hare in the form of a pacemaker for big races is nothing new and all runners are effectively bound by the same rules.
So says local Chairman of Stipes, Ernie Rodrigues, who heads the policing of a free and fair L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate on Saturday.
The entry by trainer Eric Sands of an obvious pacesetter in the shape of Amazing Strike in the field of ten for South Africa’s prestigious weight-for-age mile has led to the odds on another Cape Crawl blowing out to double figures on the eve of the popular two day festival.
Amazing Strike – the horse thought to be the likely pacemaker (Pic- JC Photos)
Ernie Rodrigues reminded us that Terrance Millard was the original tactical architect of the pacemaker in top races.
“Interestingly, the obvious didn’t always happen – and sometimes the Millard pacemaker even held on to win. Also, a trainer would need to have a plan B in place if the intended pacemaker is slow out and can’t get to the lead. Things don’t always go according to plan in races as we well know,” said the veteran Stipe, who will be backed up by his local team as well as KZN Chief Shaun Parker who flies in to lend an extra set of seasoned eyes on a busy two days at the office.
The use of pacemakers in horseracing have ensured true run trouble-free racing the world over and the tactic has become an integral part of the planning for big races.
Interestingly, pacemaking in England differs from the French model. Trainers enter horses for races and indicate on their nomination form that a certain horse is an intended pacemaker so that there is no mistaking why the horse is running in a particular race.
Ernie Rodrigues
”The pacemaker is a genuine competitor in the race and is expected to be ridden that way,” former British Horse Racing board chief executive Greg Nichols said. ”You are not allowed to come off the fence to let a stablemate through in the closing stages, for example though.”
Rodrigues says that there is nothing in the rules of the NHA that oblige a trainer to declare that a horse has been designated to fulfil the role of a hare.
“We are entitled to ask for riding instructions both before and after the race. We tend to do this more when a young apprentice is riding as we like to monitor his ability to adhere to and conform to instructions. On Saturday it’s a big day and everybody is under pressure. I note that the horse you refer to, Amazing Strike, has had his breathing issues. They have taken the tongue tie off and he will compete in a cornell collar. He is being ridden by an experienced jockey and we will naturally monitor every horse. And if the pacemaker moves out suddenly off the false rail, tires badly and falls back, or shifts out and hinders other horses, then we will be talking to him,” he added.
A trainer with one of the greatest strike rates in the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate over the past 14 years is former Cape champion Joey Ramsden, who saddles Hat Puntano in the big race.
Joey’s 2005 Gr1 Queen’s Plate winner Winter Solstice – also won it in 2006
“He wasn’t thriving in Gauteng, but is loving life down here – he has put on more weight over Christmas than me! He ran a nice race in the Green Point Stakes. I have put the blinkers on for Saturday – now you are probably wondering what master plan Ramsden has up his sleeve!” he laughed.
“Is Hat Puntano good enough to win it against the big guns? He is well and has really decent ability. We are not running just to make up numbers!”
On the use of a pacemaker, Joey says that he would do it often in years past with the Mayfair Speculators runners.
“It works well for the same owner. I can understand what the plan is after the Green Point stroll. I wish them luck. I really do.”
On the subject of his superbly talented Cape Classic winner Twist Of Fate’s no show in the initial Cape Derby entry list published on Wednesday, and his appearance on Saturday’s card in the Gr3 Politician Stakes – itself a supposed Derby ‘trial’ – Joey reckons he had ‘no choice’.
Twist Of Fate is jumping out of his skin (Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)
“The decision to run Twist Of Fate in the Politician Stakes is not part of a strategic plan, believe me! He is just so blooming well and is as hard as nails. We are not going for the Derby – rather for one of the two R5 million CTS races – over 1200m or 1600m – on Sun Met day. He is jumping out of his skin. Rather than work him harder, I thought, let’s race him in the Politician Stakes – it thus serves a few purposes, including possibly telling us where we stand with him over the 1800m.”
Joey said that it didn’t hurt either that his charge was well in on his official rating in the Politician Stakes – although he felt that the pure paper form studiers needed to take cognisance of the unexposed runners, whose ratings didn’t correctly reflect their true ability.
“Our boy has been busy running in the features and showing his true colours. Have a close look at a few of those down the scale in the Politician Stakes. Some nice well-bred but mostly unexposed horses. One of them could step up to the plate and signal his Derby claims,” he cautioned.
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