If it ain't broke, don't fix it...Looks like we're in for more madness at the top of the officialdom tree and this time it's the Melbourne Cup involved. The Age says the Cup could be in for its biggest facelift in 150 years, with Racing Victoria chief steward Terry Bailey considering the merits of allowing pacemakers to contest major staying races in Victoria. Bailey apparently believes that permitting pacemakers in Australian racing should be discussed following this year's race which, it is cl
If it ain't broke, don't fix it...Looks like we're in for more madness at the top of the officialdom tree and this time it's the Melbourne Cup involved. The Age says the Cup could be in for its biggest facelift in 150 years, with Racing Victoria chief steward Terry Bailey considering the merits of allowing pacemakers to contest major staying races in Victoria. Bailey apparently believes that permitting pacemakers in Australian racing should be discussed following this year's race which, it is claimed, was 'tainted by interference' due to a slow pace. The Age quotes Bailey as saying: ''We must look at it...Clearly we should study how the dynamics of pacemakers work. I, for one, would like to see how race clubs in other parts of the world apply the use of them.''
Memo to Terry Bailey: Get off this one immediately. Aussie punters are not interested in 'fixed races' where big stables use 'dead' pacemakers to ensure victory for their horses. We like our racing served up as it comes...whether that's rare or well-done. No-one wants the spirit of the Melbourne Cup tampered with...For goodness sake, can't we leave anything alone? If this crazy idea goes ahead does that mean we'll have pacemakers in all races? No, no, no...