Tipping Point: Hypocrisy an integral part of our racing game

Presenters on Racing TV bet on a horse that had been ridden negatively on its last run. The horse won the race by 35 lengths. The presenters said the horse looked different today. Racing is a complex sport. It's not outlandish to hope that the rules should allow even fools a measure of protection.

The presenters on Racing TV fancied a horse that had been ridden negatively on its last run. The horse won the race by 35 lengths. Racing is about cheating the system. The industry phrase is “being ahead of the handicapper”. It is incompatible with reality. Most horses will end up as middling handicappers or worse. They are won by horses whose handicap mark fails to capture the full extent of their ability. In the end, the rules should allow even fools a measure of protection.   “Cheat’ is a coarse word, but any of softer alternatives would be a pitiful euphemism.

H handicappers are smart and sharp and highly experienced people, but they have the devil's own job.