Absolute Rubbish

I have been reading all the articles that have sprung up after the loss of Set Alight. Everyone has their right opinion but what I cant understand is why is everyone blaming the Jockey.

When she lost the derby in a Gallant Effort, I can understand that Malesh did Panic but in my Opinion he did his best under the circumstances but was he really the one to blame or are tactics on how she will be run in big races are the cause.

Pesi and the connections had Telstar as a Pacemaker in the race but why did he let a weak rider like M Kharadi ride the horse, secondly he was running in a span of 8 days which makes you wonder what the real tactics were.... the Job of a pacemaker is to try and settle the fancied stablemate and lead it into the straight. Telstar could not even pace with SA till the 800 mt marker and started to fall back at the 6 flg marker exposing SA to the field due to which Malesh found him by himself all alone in front with 4 flgs to go and had no choice but to ride the filly out. to those who want to see what i mean watch the derby with a open mind including Sharan Kumar. I know Malesh is no Saint but give credit where it is due.

Re her loss against Ice Breaker last week I am surprised that everyone is blaming the jockey and Some say she is not the same horse which is utter rubbish.

What has surprised me including people who rate them selves as "India most prolific writers on Horse Racing" have missed the Golden Rule of Horse racing " Horses are not Machines".

I am surprised that why has none of these Racing Guru's considered that this Wonder Filly is not a machine.

In a span of 14 days She Ran a Mock race on the 2nd August in 1.38 (1600) and (600 in 35) was did some pace work on the 9th in Pune, Arrived in Hydrebad between 10th-13th Aug, two easy pace work in Hyd and then ran a 10 flg race in Hydrebad for the first time in her life with Top Weight.

She is a filly that is asked to do too much by her connections, where do you think she had the time to recoup from the mock race and travelling before she was pitted against her peers on the 16th, any person with half a racing brain knows filly's need rest in between runs and traveling so why dint her connections consider these factors when they targeted her for this race if you watch the final stages of the race it was clear the horse had nothing left in her but Fatigue.

Its about time people, critics and the rest see the broader picture and give credit where its due consider the fact that the Trainer and her connections who decide her future as SA does not decide when she runs and where but Pesi and the owners do and its about time they take responsibility for their actions, I have always had a lot of respect P Shroff and his judgement as the jockey but am not too sure of his abilities as a trainer ????........ Maybe he has too much on his plate.

With the test of time Set Alight will always be talked about as a wonder horse, 20 years from now not many people will remember who beat her but will acknowledge that she was the Best in her Era. Elusive Pimpernel was one of the greatest to run the turf in India and many people still remember his Talent but how many of them remember who beat him in his only loss No many.

I hope she bounces back and proves her class and if she does I hope credit is give where its due....... If she does not it will be sad day in racing where Greed and Ego will see

" An End of a Era".

Here are two Famous Quotes on Horses dont just read them Understand Them.

1) If the horse does not enjoy his work, his rider will have no joy.
- H.H. Isenbart

2) A horse doesn't care how much you know until he knows how much you care.

- Pat Parelli

This is my Opinion and I am happy for comments as long as they are made in the right spirit.