Tanya Stevenson
Tanya’s Blog: Josh Gifford – A legend passes
Josh Gifford, a legend, passes. His smile, demeanour and interviews were something which made us smile and filled us with positivity. Forever remembered for Aldaniti, he was a man who flourished as both a jockey and trainer. For me his skills were best displayed with his handling of Vodkatini. A horse who tested the patience of a saint with his recalcitrance, yet not Josh. Vodkatini had immense ability, winning at the Cheltenham Festival and finishing third to Desert Orchid in the 1988 King George VI Chase. But he was quirky enough to show contempt for the classiest of races. The refusal to consent to race endeared us to him.
Josh Gifford also made this weekend his own, when not blighted by bad weather, he rode and trained the most renowned winners of the Schweppes Hurdle at Newbury. What about Deep Sensation, victorious in 1993, if we only knew before the race what he went on to achieve over fences!
Josh warmed our hearts with his constant smile, we lived the rollercoaster of racing’s ups and downs with him. We well up as soon as the Aldaniti commentary is played or the Champions soundtrack. He will forever be one of the sports’ national treasures.
Oscar Whisky is live on Racing UK in Kempton’s 5.25. Bumpers for Jumpers what a great initiative for the All Weather to kick on with. Today it’s Kempton and on Sunday it’s Southwell’s turn. It gives those hard working Flat horses a bit of respite, allowing a much needed bit of exercise and competition to the jumpers.
To get the show on the road though spare a thought for the Clerk of the Course and all the groundstaff at the various All Weather courses. Unfairly the subject of various criticisms on forums and comments, their task is a thankless one. Always the subject of negativity without a thought of the logistics and the inexact science of Mother Nature, and also beholden to a weather forecast, which is still not reliable and changeable.
Armchair clerks, such as ourselves, always claim we can do better without considering all the scenarios and actually being in the vicinity of the course itself. Be a clerk on a turf course? Well you’d need rhino skin and an ability to withstand constant criticism.
The All Weather boys will be out through the night because although the surface can withstand temperatures many degrees lower than turf, it still has to be constantly maintained and harrowed. Snow, falling on the track, has to be removed, which Kempton was doing before even inspecting today at 8am. Too much is taken for granted and no recognition is directed in the way of these unsung heroes that are groundstaff.
Keeping a keen eye on the BHA website for updates and on Australia v Sri Lanka, I’ve been up since before 6am - a good test run for Morning Line tomorrow. Once again I am loathed to make any selections today as although I have watched every race on the All Weather over the last couple of weeks it doesn’t make an expert.
Instead, preference is to wait for Musselburgh tomorrow. I will be paying keen interest into how well Nicky Henderson does at Kempton and watching out for Hard To Swallow, Barwell Bridge, Pause And Clause, Tatispout well in fact the 4.55 looks a great contest and finally all eyes on Oscar Whisky.
POINTERS
Barry Geraghty has ridden Oscar Whisky 12 times winning on him on nine occasions
Jamie Osborne has had seven winners from his last 11 runners. His Southwell record is impeccable to, with four winners from his last seven runners
Alan King has had five winners, two seconds and three thirds from his last 13 runners
Wayne Hutchinson has had four winners, a second and a third from his last eight rides
Mark Johnston has had six winners from his last 19 Wolverhampton runners
Chris Catlin has had five winners from his last 16 rides
Favourites have a 47% strike rate in non-handicaps at Southwell yet backing each and every one would still show a loss
Favourites have a 42% strike rate in non-handicaps at Wolverhampton same applies as it does with Southwell
