Almost 500 years ago, Anthony Fitzherbert wrote in his Book of Husbandry that old dogs were difficult to retrain.
While Fitzherbert was literally talking about training dogs, he could never have imagined that within a century the idea would evolve into the proverb “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” — a saying that has endured for nearly 500 years.
And I sit here typing away on a weekly article with a smile on my face knowing I can prove a 500-year theory wrong. As a numbers nerd, proving or disproving theories gets my juices running.
Dear Anthony, meet TOWN CRIER.
He’s a 6YO gelding that lives in Queensland, Australia – a joint not many knew existed when you wrote Book of Husbandry. Because of this, we’ll go easy on you.
TOWN CRIER was an on pace 1200m horse who’s best asset was hammering along at solid fractions taking his opposition outside of their comfort zone.
As he reached new levels of racing, his form lost its consistency, leaving trainer Matt Hoysted to contemplate a new approach.
So the decision was made to teach this old dog (horse) to sit off the lead and come home with a wet sail over shorter trips.
TOWN CRIER would normally average 11.7 -11.8 per 200m split out of the barriers but last Saturday he went a 12.1.
He made his run from the 600m where he clocked a slick 32.88 – the fastest of the day before winning the best race of his career.
So John, you can teach an old dog new tricks. You just need patience and the right trainer.
You can go now while I go over the week that was for Proven Thoroughbreds.
It began with EMPHATIQUE at Doomben on Wednesday.
Up to 1350m for the first time this prep, she was ridden forward of midfield in a moderately run race. Unfortunately, she couldn’t get out when she needed to and was held up from the 400m to the 250m. The race rated poorly though so I’d be wary about assuming she can win a similar event soon with better luck.
NOT ON MY WATCH showed talent in trials before making his debut at Gosford on Friday. They backed him too – $3.40 into $3.10 late and you can see why. PEYTON won the race in a time that was more than 7L above standard. This is a race you can follow and the one to follow from it is NOT ON MY WATCH.
PROXIMA CENTAURI is really enjoying her racing. The mare hasn’t missed a top 5 finish in all five runs this prep. She finished second in her BM64 contest at Gosford although the race was nearly 3L below standard overall. Plus, there was enough pace on for it to rate better but at least she beat the third horse easily. Data says a fast run 1600-1800m contest is perfect for her, although I note she is backing up on Wednesday which will give her every chance of ticking off the 2200m box.
BROADWAY STREET ran on his home track of Kembla on Saturday but was never really in it. His late splits were good – last 600m 4.5L above standard and last 200m was the 8th fastest at the meeting. Maybe he still hasn’t gotten over that first-up defeat Newcastle – I know I haven’t. Keen to see him again.
ALAMBAMA SHOWDOWN resumed at Wyong on Sunday and unfortunately ran into a smart one in LUCAND MAGIC, who got the favours of an on-pace bias. ALABAMA SHOWDOWN sat last and came around, which proved a low percentage play on the day. His sectionals say he peaked on his run as his 400-200m splits considerably better than his final section. Could be a real improver.
Rival jockeys in the Memsie Stakes certainly gave BEIWACHT every chance to win consecutive G1 WFA 1400m races.
The winner has a beautiful racing pattern and, with little pressure up front, was allowed to cruise through the early section almost half a second below G1 standard. That said, he went from 1L clear at the 400m to 3L clear on the line. Hard not to be impressed. They’re targeting the Manikato Stakes and Everest – I feel like we’ve been down this path with BEIWACHT before (insert rolling eyes emoji).
COSMIC CRUSADER was luckless, caught three-wide without cover. With race fitness on his side, he perhaps could’ve been allowed to roll forward.
BUCKAROO recorded the fastest last 1200m and 1000m of the day, as well as the second-fastest last 200m of the race. He looks right on track for the Underwood, a race he finished a close second to SIR DELIUS in 12 months ago.
Nic Ashman is a form expert who has developed his own times rating system to assess races. He is the host of The Beaten Favourite podcast and appears on several other racing media outlets. For a more detailed summary of the past weekend’s racing, you can listen to ‘The Monday Podcast’ episode by The Beaten Favourite HERE.