Horses for courses

[Horny Harry]

Jockey Michael Cahill has recorded his biggest success in Hong Kong with a win in the Group Three Juvenile Sprint Trophy on Able Choice. Two year-old Able Choice won from his stable mate Anabatik giving trainer John Moore the quinella.
Able Choice is Australian bred and may well head home now for his three year-old season with the likes of the Caulfield Guineas in his sights.
Cahill told Moore: "This is the best two year-old I've ridden this season, including Regent Street."
Able Choice will always remain a favourite with Cahill: "I won on him on my first ride here in Hong Kong, which was great and now he's given me this Group win.
"It was a brilliant training effort by John to keep him so fresh and he's never gone over the top in his training, he deserves a lot of credit for this win," said Cahill.

[shadey]

did you see able choice before racing? he looked disgraceful but put in the most amazing run.
this is quite typical of john moore, the worse his horses look the better they run. must be a new trend...

[masun]

this is quite typical of john moore, the worse his horses look the better they run.
Does anyone know why?

[the mad mafoo]

He tells me it's to trick all the punters.

[victor]

Before the race, I think Able Choice was not looking bad, but looking and reacting guite crazy.
Looks like some special 'juice' was in his body.

[masun]

From what I remember, both Able Choice and stablemate Anabatik were sweating quite profusely. The TV commentators thought they both didn't look right and didn't think they could win. Of course they won the quinella.

[shadey]

john moore is a trainer who really likes to get the horse really fit and on the edge. maybe he even overdoes it. if anyone remembers, john moore use to have a big reputation for always getting his horses to bleed. last couple of seasons it hasnt been so bad.
anyway if a horse sweats down the neck it isnt a bad thing, it just means the horse is exicted about the race. the problem starts if he sweats everywhere else.

[Horny Harry]

Jockey Michael Cahill has been suspended in Hong Kong. Cahill will miss three Hong Kong race days.
The suspension was as a result of careless riding in the sixth race at Happy Valley last night.
After the running of this race the stewards were of the prima facie view that an incident had occurred at about the 200 Metres which cast sufficient doubt on whether DARWIN should be declared the winner of the race. They decided that there was justification to have the matter resolved formally and openly at a protest/objection hearing (Rule 123). Douglas Whyte, the rider of STRONG SCOTCH, second placegetter, also lodged a protest/objection against DARWIN (Michael Cahill) being declared the winner alleging interference to his mount in the straight.
Following the conduct of a formal hearing, the Stewards on all the available evidence were of the opinion that at about the 200 Metres, DARWIN did shift ground and inconvenience STRONG SCOTCH, they did not consider however, bearing in mind the three quarters of a length margin between the two horses at the finish, that STRONG SCOTCH would have finished in front of DARWIN had the interference which did take place not occurred.
Accordingly the protest/objection was overruled and the Judge's placings as semaphored were confirmed.
Subsequently Cahill pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)]. The careless riding being that at about the 200 Metres, he allowed his mount to shift in when not clear of STRONG SCOTCH. As a consequence of this, STRONG SCOTCH was momentarily steadied and changed course to the outside of DARWIN.
Cahill was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Thursday 30 May 2002 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays).
The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the meeting at Sha Tin next Sunday 19 May 2002.

[Horny Harry]

Talking about " juice", what about the performance of Race To Honour just before the last race...bolting off with the Jockey Michael Cahill ( hanging on for dear life) and the outrider hanging on to the bridle doing his best to stop the horse. Needless to say the horse got away and was a late scratching.
However I dont think that Able choice was on anything...I think he was just getting a bit worked up on a hot night.
[ May 16, 2002: Message edited by: Horny Harry ]