Gig Kick's Racing Manager not pulling his punches!!!

[Chief Stipe]

Geez the PC world we live in!  Mind you Bart Cummings would have done a serve but with more subtlety and humour!

[Chief Stipe]

20 hours ago, curious said:

Not at all. I'm wanting to see the data you have showing that there is daylight between the performance of our 3-4 top jockeys and the rest. I haven't seen that.

Isn't there?  Or is the daylight clouded by the stats relating to the biggest determinant of race outcome - the ability of the horse?

[curious]

4 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

Isn't there?  Or is the daylight clouded by the stats relating to the biggest determinant of race outcome - the ability of the horse?

Not there for mine. Seems you have no data to support your claim either?

[Chief Stipe]

New Giga Kick jockey announced

 

Andrew Eddy

@fastisheddy

5:45pm

Craig Williams has lost the ride on Giga Kick with Sydney’s leading jockey James McDonald named as his replacement for his next start.

 

Williams was informed on Friday evening of the decision to go with McDonald in the final act of the fall-out from Williams’ ride on Giga Kick when the star sprinter was beaten first-up in last Saturday’s G2 McEwen Stakes at The Valley.

 

The jockey was roundly criticized for his ride, where Giga Kick sizzled in the middle sections of the race after missing the start, before fading late behind the impressive Kiwi mare Imperatriz.

 

Trainer Clayton Douglas said: "James is Sydney's leading rider and I think he will suit the horse very well as we continue the preparation towards defending the Everest crown. The team decided to run with James once it became clear he was available.

 

“Craig is a good rider and I am sure he will bounce back and be riding winners for me and also in the red and white silks again in the future." 

 

Giga Kick is expected to run next in the G2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on September 30, two weeks before his Everest defence.

[Chief Stipe]

Just now, Chief Stipe said:

Trainer Clayton Douglas said: "James is Sydney's leading rider and I think he will suit the horse very well as we continue the preparation towards defending the Everest crown.

Well who would have thought that a Jockey style would suit a horse.  @holy ravioli

[holy ravioli]

11 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

Well who would have thought that a Jockey style would suit a horse.  @holy ravioli

Who would ever have thought that an owner/trainer would select a jockey he thought....would NOT suit  a horse.🙄

[Chief Stipe]

7 minutes ago, holy ravioli said:

Who would ever have thought that an owner/trainer would select a jockey he thought....would NOT suit  a horse.🙄

Right so you agree that, for example, James MacDonald may not be the right choice for every horse?

I remember when Michael Walker was riding high in NZ and he was put on my horse.  They didn't get on and when he flicked the whip at her face she threw him before the start.

[Gammalite]

Here we go again. you guys are driving me nuts.

Any jockey can sit on any horse . (just as I could sit behind any horse at the trots for example)

But winning has nothing to do with the 'Matchmaker' lovey dovey relationship you guys are looking for . 

It is whether the jockey / driver is trying to win ( I think Willow was trying to win IMO ) as I think nearly all jockeys and drivers are trying to win. (Saturdays anyway 😄)  

It's whether the horse is fit enough , and wound up to win (which Imperatriz OBVIOUSLY was much more than Gigakick ) and not being set for 'missions'  later on in their campaign like so many of these thoroughbreds seem to use as an excuse all the time . (pacers are ready to go anytime , first up after a spell or not .. good honest trotting people gotta love em... lol .😉)

[Chief Stipe]

39 minutes ago, Gammalite said:

It's whether the horse is fit enough , and wound up to win (which Imperatriz OBVIOUSLY was much more than Gigakick ) and not being set for 'missions'  later on in their campaign like so many of these thoroughbreds seem to use as an excuse all the time .

Williams was fully aware of where Giga Kick was in her campaign.  Arguably both him and Imperatriz were at the same stage in their campaigns.  You can't say Imperatriz doesn't have some big targets in mind.

39 minutes ago, Gammalite said:

(pacers are ready to go anytime , first up after a spell or not .. good honest trotting people gotta love em... lol .😉

Although your sarcasm is noted how many "quiet ones" did you give your horses in your career?

[Gammalite]

5 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

Williams was fully aware of where Giga Kick was in her campaign.  Arguably both him and Imperatriz were at the same stage in their campaigns.  You can't say Imperatriz doesn't have some big targets in mind.

Although your sarcasm is notes how many "quiet ones" did you give your horses in your career?

Yeah I don't mind them 'running on late' like so many of these gallopers do every week over the 'unsuitable' shorter trip than what is best for them . Punters take a bath again lol...

But Yes Giga Kick is the one having the big mission ahead of the Everest defense shortly . (and Imperatriz should lap up the Moir and the Manikato ) and because Willow had a real crack last week ( running the same 2nd sectional he did last year first up but NO-One is mentioning that) he is a BAD GUY because the horse didn't win. ?? 

Imperatriz beats a lot of horses doesn't she ?? ? she's pretty good . just 'sulky' spoilt connections of Gigakick. think they should win all the time now , since they won the Everest .  

and yes... at the trots the barrier draw is vital , and I admit' you might have a 'quieter one' if drawn not to suit one week and wait for a 'better draw the following week. so yes that does happen a fair bit I spose. (sorry I wasn't trying to be sarcastic) .

I just meant I feel the horses at the trots in general , are produced fitter and can win first up anytime of the year. As Allstars do in Nz and Emma Stewart does in Australia ( she has an incredible 30 horses in the 12 Group 1's at Melton tonight) and anyone can drive them . 

[Chief Stipe]

5 minutes ago, Gammalite said:

and because Willow had a real crack last week ( running the same 2nd sectional he did last year first up but NO-One is mentioning that) he is a BAD GUY because the horse didn't win. ?? 

The criticism isn't because he didn't win it is because he didn't follow instructions and gave the horse a gut buster.  Williams himself admitted he stuffed up.

He rode it like it was the Everest.  He could have stayed on Imperatriz's back and got a drag into it.  Instead he does a Gammalite and sets off far too early and gives Imperatriz a nice drag into the race.

If Bowman had ridden Winx like that she wouldn't have been unbeaten for so long. 

Not always best to ride your horse like it is the best.  

12 minutes ago, Gammalite said:

 

Imperatriz beats a lot of horses doesn't she ?? ? she's pretty good . just 'sulky' spoilt connections of Gigakick. think they should win all the time now , since they won the Everest .  

Bollocks.  That wasn't the basis of their criticism - that they lost.  It was the welfare of the horse and future targets.

Hell if it had been a NZ Harness race Williams would have been dragged into the stipe room and grilled.

[Gammalite]

21 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

Bollocks.  That wasn't the basis of their criticism - that they lost.  It was the welfare of the horse and future targets.

Hell if it had been a NZ Harness race Williams would have been dragged into the stipe room and grilled.

well is hard to say what the charge would be in the Stipes . running and handling? 

I would say bollocks to the 'welfare of horse issue'. Why would Gigakick go home feeling any different to any of the other horses in the race? they all went round . Lungs all under the same pressure? . Imperatriz actually had to wind up for a long way too ? 🤔 

How is his after-race recovery Any different to what it would be if he won , and/ or tracked Imperatriz . there's no Welfare Issue at all... 

I say get on your bike like Gammalite ( don't forget mate he was so good he was handicapped so had to go round the field often from standing starts and show True Champion staying qualities) getting that 30m Handicap in the Nz Cup those times, was complete Bollocks though 😂 
BUT you get up there and have a crack at it anyway . yeah you might go 'too early' sometimes as you suggest , But why leave it too late to win ? (like the gallopers very often do 😉 ) 

Edited September 15, 2023 by Gammalite

[Chief Stipe]

20 minutes ago, Gammalite said:

I would say bollocks to the 'welfare of horse issue'. Why would Gigakick go home feeling any different to any of the other horses in the race? they all went round . Lungs all under the same pressure? . Imperatriz actually had to wind up for a long way too ? 🤔 

Rubbish.  The Trainer told Williams where the horse was fitness wise and Williams had been involved in the preparation.  A thoroughbred doesn't have the same constitution has a standardbred where you can race them every week for 12 weeks or as in the old days run them twice in one day and back up two days later over a long weekend.

If you told a driver of a horse you trained that your horse was a couple of runs short of peak and to get a soft run and the driver then went out and went straight to the front.  Cleared out by 3 lengths and got swamped as it walked across the line.  Would you be happy?

You also know that running a 26 second quarter leading or one out with  no cover is a damn sight more tiring than for the horse sitting on your back.

Gammalite might have won a few more races if driven better.

[holy ravioli]

Williams admitted he made an error in judgement.

The reality is the 2 that beat him home, are elite racehorses.

Be surprised if there are many around who would think JMac won't suit their horse in any ...race.

The Chief would be about the only person on the planet who would knock him...back.🤪

[Chief Stipe]

40 minutes ago, holy ravioli said:

Be surprised if there are many around who would think JMac won't suit their horse in any ...race.

A few but they're probably the elite.

[holy ravioli]

32 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

A few but they're probably the elite.

Probably only you ...Chief...and possibly 99 and...Max.😄

[Chief Stipe]

1 hour ago, holy ravioli said:

Probably only you ...Chief...and possibly 99 and...Max.😄

[The Centaur]

On 15/09/2023 at 4:03 PM, Chief Stipe said:

Racing Victoria stewards are looking into Douglas' comments, which were made on Radio TAB on Wednesday morning.

 

And well they should. He was basically saying Williams should have ridden to lose. 

[Chief Stipe]

12 minutes ago, The Centaur said:

And well they should. He was basically saying Williams should have ridden to lose. 

He was fined $1,500 for what he said he felt he could have strangled Williams not what may be inferred.

I can't see how the alternative of sitting tight and getting a drag into the race on Imperatriz's back would have been riding to lose.

Arguably the way he rode Giga Kick was the way to lose.  Plus may have bottomed the horse.

[Gammalite]

Oh well . Williams rode Mr Brightside a treat today for yet another win . A 12 out of 10 ride was what the young Hayes trainer said afterwards. very nice of him.

Willow also rode an absolute peach to win the first race today , in a straight course 1100m at Flemington . Rated to perfection.

It's a Shame Moonee Valley wasn't 'straight' so trainers don't want to strangle him . 😉

[Chief Stipe]

Giga Kick out for the spring

www.racing.com

 

Sprint star Giga Kick is out for the spring after tearing a muscle in his McEwen Stakes return at The Valley.

 

In a statement on Saturday morning, trainer Clayton Douglas said a torn gluteal muscle suffered in his controversial first-up run had meant there was no time for him to recover for his big spring goals.

 

“I have arguably the best horse in the country, who was set to have a great spring running in races carrying $30 million in prizemoney, but unfortunately he is going to the paddock,” Douglas lamented,

 

“That’s racing.

 

“Subsequent veterinary assessment showed the horse had sustained the injury, giving insufficient time to have the horse recovered and ready for his spring targets.

 

“The vets assessed it as an injury most likely caused by over-exertion at high speed.”

 

Williams was to have been replaced on Giga Kick for his next run after sending the horse through sizzling mid-sections in the McEwen after the horse was slowly away.

 

Giga Kick had been the favourite to defend his crown in next month’s $20 million The Everest in Sydney.

 

“I am still amazed that he only got beaten two and a half lengths last start after missing the start by two lengths and injuring himself in the race, after what Craig acknowledged was a poor ride,” Douglas said.

 

“I can’t be prouder of my horse, who is tough and brave, and he will come back for what will, hopefully, be a drama-free Autumn preparation.”

[Freda]

More likely ( IMO ) that the muscle injury occurred as the horse left the barriers, which MAY have been the reason why he wasn't quite quick enough into stride.

He'll have a holiday, which is good, Williams behaved like the professional he is with a beautifully judged ride on Mr Brightside,  the owners of Giga Kick can STFU and life goes on.

[Chief Stipe]

1 hour ago, Freda said:

the owners of Giga Kick can STFU and life goes on.

It wasn't the owners that gave Williams a serve it was Rod Douglas, the Racing Manager who is the uncle of the trainer Clayton Douglas.

Rod Douglas has been a successful trainer in his own right so it isn't as if he doesn't know what he is talking about.

I guess you've never given a jockey a serve after a poor ride.  It is speculation to suggest that the injury was caused at the start and either way that doesn't excuse Williams decision to take off so far out.  If anything missing the jump along with his riding instructions he should have taken it quietly.

[Doomed]

Williams showed he had obviously learnt from his mistake in the first yesterday. Waited at the back of the field until into the home straight at Caulfield and still got up to win.

[Freda]

19 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

It wasn't the owners that gave Williams a serve it was Rod Douglas, the Racing Manager who is the uncle of the trainer Clayton Douglas.

Rod Douglas has been a successful trainer in his own right so it isn't as if he doesn't know what he is talking about.

I guess you've never given a jockey a serve after a poor ride.  It is speculation to suggest that the injury was caused at the start and either way that doesn't excuse Williams decision to take off so far out.  If anything missing the jump along with his riding instructions he should have taken it quietly.

Would the Racing Manager not represent the owners,  ffs?

I'm picking that if he had sat quietly ( and he would still have been beaten) he would have still got a serve.

And no, I have never displayed such poor sportsmanship and I hope I never do. Not that I've ever had such a high profile horse.

I've certainly had a chat with riders afterwards ( wtf did you think you were doing? ) but in private,  and can, in most cases, accept their reasoning. 

Having a jockey as a partner for twenty years, I am only too aware of what can go wrong, or at least not according to plan....and people, even rich arrogant ones, must realise that horses are not bicycles.