As the racing world deals with the mind numbing issue of padded whips I really wonder about priorities. Yes, some horses need persuading with a whip but overall the form will work itself out and the same number of favourites will win as they always have done. A greater priority for the racing world is to arrest the issue of declining numbers at the racetrack. For too long officials have been ducking and weaving by blaming the proliferation of other outlets as an excuse for the declining numbers

As the racing world deals with the mind numbing issue of padded whips I really wonder about priorities. Yes, some horses need persuading with a whip but overall the form will work itself out and the same number of favourites will win as they always have done. A greater priority for the racing world is to arrest the issue of declining numbers at the racetrack. For too long officials have been ducking and weaving by blaming the proliferation of other outlets as an excuse for the declining numbers but none, as far as I have seen, have not initiated new strategies to change the decline.

Normally on a Thursday night I am deep into the formguide but last night I decided to support my AFL football team Richmond in what was billed as a match extraordinaire. An excellent pizza plus a drop of Bundy and coke had me settled and ready. Boy, what an insipid performance and I am disgusted from watching some players who cannot even kick a football straight over a distance of fifteen metres and even worse who lack the courage to go in for a hardball. Very, very disappointing and blaming the coach is not the problem. Another year of frustration ahead by the looks of it.

Here I am on Friday morning a little behind the eight ball but I have at least decided which races to tackle. At Rosehill Race 6, the Hyland Colours Ajax Stakes, and Race 9, the Cleanevent Birthday Card Stakes look the two races I see as formful enough to seek a bet from. The main race, the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas, is a race I always steer clear of due to the distance issue for most of the field. It is hard enough picking a winner normally without guessing over distance and class issues. I like races where there is a clear distinction in class for starters and open class events certainly provide this.In Melbourne Race 6, the Open Listed 1400m event fits the bill while in Perth Races 3 and 8 have been ticked by yours truly for serious consideration. I am not enthused by South Australian form, as a rule, so will steer clear while in Queensland I am just starting to watch the form a bit more seriously as their carnival will be upon us in a few weeks.
Last week I had races coming out of my ears but it looks like this week life on the form guide is going to be a fraction less stressful Oh, yes: there is a meeting at Moonee Valley tonight. Buried within what is normally fairly ordinary racing is a $100,000 event for the 3000m plodders and I must say I applaud the MV people for providing this amount of money for this type of horse. It gives hope for the owners of distance horses that can not match the Group level. The class horse of the meeting is Lucky Secret and I will be having a good look at this race. It is well worth noticing that Danny Brereton is aboard Lucky Secret and tomorrow he rides three horses in Perth for top trainer Frank Maynard.

Now, off to the form guide.