Foreign nations show how it’s done

MUCH of the racing spotlight this weekend is abroad in Melbourne and Santa Anita.

It must be said, they know how to build up to a big occasion, putting Europe to shame with social media content, videos and access to horses and trainers.

From half the world away, use of social media by both journalists and media organisations allows fans to be more aware, engaged and more passionate in following the sport, highlighting stories than can go mainstream.

Barry Hearn said in an interview in this paper recently: “Racing has just started getting a little bit better on their social media but they don’t do anywhere near enough. You should be flooding the market, building personalities.”

Most of those ‘personalities’ are the participants, from stable lads to the horses themselves.

And we’ve seen this week that the horse players are very entertaining. They are not afraid to speak their minds or share their emotions. It creates great interest outside the sport.

It was never more apparent than in the fallout from Linda Meech being jocked off at a late stage from Thought Of That in the Victoria Derby.

Melbourne Cup-winning rider Michelle Payne was fined for her outburst in support of Meech.

  • Michelle Payne: “Not for the public to decide but the public can recognise you as a p**.
  • Owner Brae Sokolski: “You’re entitled to an opinion. You are not entitled to challenge the right of an owner to make that decision.”
  • Linda Meech: “Brae is a smart enough bloke to stick with the big guns but I hope it gets beat.”

    • It was all hugely entertaining and who wouldn’t tune in now to see how the race pans out and the reactions of everyone involved.

    Can it be Elate the great in the Classic?

    IT’S looking like a low key Breeders’ Cup this year with a subdued challenge from Britain, and this in a year when so many of the top horses also didn’t make it to the British Champions Day meeting. Yet, if you follow US racing all year, there are some fascinating races.

    Magical may be a big loss from a duel with Sistercharlie in the Filly and Mare, but the Dirt Sprint and the Distaff have quality fields. The Dirt Mile could have a real star in Omaha Beach. A win for the filly Elate in the Classic would crown a fantastic year for fillies and mares.

    The Turf is usually the best bet for European success and, in a year where the turf horses in the US looked poor, you would expect the Derby winner to have a terrific chance.

    However, Anthony Van Dyck must take on the one standout US turf star in Bricks And Mortar.

    Remember Ruby Walsh called ‘Anthony’ a St Leger horse when he won the Derby. He showed more over shorter behind Magical in Leopardstown, but Old Persian looked a smoother traveller on his Canadian win and, if using those ‘kick early’ tactics, could put it up to the favourite.

    Willie still reigns Supreme!

    IF it wasn’t a serious matter in the integrity of syndicated ownership, you could be forgiven for finding a little humour in recent events.

    There’s Gordon Elliott having a touch of scandal associated with his yard as newspapers report his Cheltenham winner Labaik to be in the custody of the Criminal Assets Bureau.

    But, what do you know, Willie’s yard have even trumped him there too with the Gold Cup favourite and top-rated chaser suspended from running. Anything you can do, I can do ...