Events / Editor / 12 September 2007 /

Racing journalist Ian Dean foresees few problems with the going at Doncaster and is hoping for a poor performance from Aiden O'Brien's Mahler

Equine achievement took a backseat to wider issues in a torrid week for British racing. First, Charles Cyzer reignited the prize-money debate when citing lack of return for his retirement from training. Then came 'Wateringate', with officials at both Warwick and Haydock held to account for serious misdemeanours with their hosepipes.

Haydock's Clerk of the Course Kirkland Tellwright, can't often have been compared to Jade Goody - I dare say he would shiver at the thought - but he must have been able to empathise with the 'Big Brother' bad girl as he endured the eye-of-the-storm treatment after Saturday's big race, the Group One Sprint Cup.

Tellwright stood doubly accused: of over-watering to the detriment of big race favourite Sakhee's Secret, and of failing to declare the changed state of the going.

The decision to water was presumably made in good faith - after all, why would he do anything to jeopardise the showpiece event in his track's calendar?

However, his decision not to alter the going description when Mother Nature failed to play ball was made out of self-interest (or self-preservation, if you prefer). That surely is the bigger crime, even if it is now not hard to see why he didn't want to incur the wrath of Hughie Morrison any sooner than was necessary!

In truth, Tellwright was taking a hit on behalf of all his colleagues who have misled trainers and punters alike with their going descriptions (anyone remember EVERY Cheltenham Festival in the last decade?!). If the Betfair Forum is believed, Haydock was the straw that broke the (until now) broad backs of some disenchanted players.

It's long overdue that politics were taken out of official going descriptions and accuracy made paramount. Unfortunately, recent events suggest the newly-introduced GoingStick has hardly improved matters.

Given that his defeat has come to be seen as a fait accompli, it is surprising Sakhee's Secret drifted no further than 2.62 on Betfair before the off. The irony in this episode is that his owner Bridget Swire has been synonymous down the years with mudlovers, including Sakhee's Secret's dam Palace Street.

With his sire having romped to Arc success on holding ground, Sakhee's Secret's apparent inability to handle any cut whatsoever is one in the chops for those enamoured with predicting going requirements based on breeding. Personally, I remain hugely sceptical of the generalisations that are trotted out about stallions and their offspring in this regard and advise vigilance at all times.

Thankfully, the going at Doncaster's recent 'trial' meeting drew a unanimous thumbs-up, so peace should reign at this week's St Leger meeting.

At the start of the year there was real hope that this meeting would witness the culmination of the first colts Triple Crown since the Reformation. Unbeatable at two, Teofilo was considered to be the horse with everything. Alas, everything included a dodgy leg.

In his absence, it's the usual sturdy Yorkshire fare of not-quite-top-notchers and a few other hopefuls, including a maiden named Samuel.

The trick to the Leger is that proven stamina is more a hindrance than a help, with those so endowed annually left behind by pacier sorts stepping up in trip.

I'm either too young or too stupid to recall the last Queen's Vase winner to triumph in the final classic, so the decision to field against Mahler on those grounds was simple.

Having laid Aidan O'Brien's colt at average odds of 6.35 on the Betfair ante-post market, I will be looking to 'green up' between now and off-time with his current price closer to 10.

* Regular contributor Simon Rowlands is away this week

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