Botched Abortion

Originally Posted by Cajungator26

For me, I'm all about consistency... I just don't see him giving CONSISTENT rides. I can't fault him for losing on a horse that just didn't have it (and I agree that he didn't ride Bob and John bad), but I would prefer it if he were a more consistent jockey.

Hey we all would wouldn't we? To me you can never have too many good jocks in a colony. Means for better betting races. WHen you have a guy or two who dominate they suck up all the good mounts and you suffer at the betting windows on prices.
Richi(Rupert here, lol) and I got into it and scuds and I last fall when he was in Scuds favor then. My postition on the guy hasn't changed one iota. Hes the strongest and most agile and daring rider alive. Of this I have no doubt. But hes not consistent or bright on horseback consistently yet.
WHen you watch johhny ride(hes obviously hurting now yet still manages to give smart rides) you will notice he often just stays out of the horses way. He places them where they need to be placed and its obvious that he studies the DRF and knows his rivals and their tendencies and well as the properties of his own horse. Can't tell you how many times I have a big grin and say YES!!! when hes on the 2nd speed and outbreaks his main speed rival and goes to the lead. He doesnt get jammed up inside either, very rarely if ever. He keeps his mounts clear and clearly understands the concepts of momentum and inertia by having his mounts rolling in the clear as they turn for home. They aren't cars and you can't just accelerate on a moments notice. Saving ground is highly overrated. The horse who gets to the line first is what matters, not saving ground. You can have a ton of horse underneath you but if you are down inside without anywhere to run what good is it? Lets say you get clear with an 1/8th remaining, thats not a whole lot of time to accelerate and run down a horse with a length on you who still has run, almost impossible. Don't give up yet, this NY experience with riding against guys who will lock you in will help him, eventually. At some point he will adapt and tinker with his strategy. Until then just keep the rolaids and valium handy.