Racing Thoughts: Spencer is frank while Duncan is a dunce

General / Graham Cunningham / 24 April 2009 / Leave a Comment

Jamie Spencer's belligerent stance after receiving criticism for his lack of action aboard Thomas Baines is applauded by Graham Cunningham but boos are reserved for Southwell's hapless clerk, Roderick Duncan. Plus an added NFL tip!

To barge or not to barge? That is the question as Spencer stands firm

There is a tiresome old routine which plays out in the racing media when a rider is perceived to have made a blunder.

First, there is wailing and gnashing of teeth from aggrieved punters; second, said rider "holds his hands up" and admits the error of his ways either in print or on television; and third, the media then say "hats off to X for being so honest" before moving on to the next issue at hand.

However, Jamie Spencer broke the mould this week by effectively telling the baying mob that he does things his way and will continue to do so in similar circumstances.

In case you didn't see it, Spencer found himself hemmed close to the rail aboard Michael Bell-trained 11-10 favourite Thomas Baines in a maiden for juveniles and, rather than risk a ban which would rule him out of Guineas weekend by forcing a gap, he opted to coast home unplaced as the race took shape ahead of him.

It would have been the easy for Spencer (pictured above aboard Delegator) to bemoan his ill luck and seek a few brownie points by apologising to anyone who had lost money on the horse.

But instead he jumped onto the front foot by admitting he would do the same thing again and that the prospect of a ban played strongly on his mind in deciding to remain in the pocket.

Moreover, Spencer went on to say "luckily, British racing is run by people with brains, so they understood straight away when I said I was denied a clear run."

The clear implication of that comment is that punters who kick up in situations like this don't understand the sport they are betting on properly.

It's a controversial view, for sure, but give me Spencer's bluntness and refusal to wear the hair shirt anytime compared to the so-called "hands up" mentality of some riders who care little for the welfare of punters in reality.

Either way, Spencer has made his position clear. But do you think he will sit and suffer if Delegator is caught in a pocket on 2,000 Guineas day? No, nor do I.

* * *

Hapless Southwell clerk deserves more than just flak after Wednesday embarrassment

A pal of mine with long experience in these matters has long insisted that the only requirements for a budding clerk of the course at British racecourses is a tweed cap, a pair of wellies, a pointed stick and a Jack Russell terrier.

A functioning brain has never appeared on his list of essentials and you can see why after Southwell clerk Roderick Duncan made a blunder which resulted in every race on Wednesday's card being run over a distance at least a furlong shorter than intended.

The hapless Duncan, who only noticed his mistake when he opened his Racing Post on the morning of the meeting, compounded his embarrassment when going on to tell reporter Graham Green "I hope there isn't too much flak."

But why shouldn't there be flak - and plenty of it? It's hard enough backing winners without some amateurish official moving the goalposts at the last minute because of his own incompetence.

BHA spokesman Owen Byrne says "we will have to consider disciplinary action." How about taking that pointed stick and giving Mr Duncan a sound thrashing with it?

* * *

Knowshon will be causing a commotion if my gridiron mole is on the money

Stop press: My gridiron mole has just called to say there is what the Americans call a "mortal lock" in the match bets on tomorrow's NFL draft.

I won't bore you with the details. Suffice to say that if you can get a bet on Knowshon Merino (Georgia Bulldogs) to be drafted before the injury-prone Chris "Beanie" Wells (Ohio State Buckeyes) then don't be shy about steaming in even at odds-on.

Paddy Power were offering odds against on the Georgia man for most of Thursday but seem to have gone strangely shy about taking bets over the last 24 hours.

Anyway, the ceremony is live on nfl.com on Saturday night at nine. Come on Knowshon. You can do this Beanie. No problem.