Appeal upheld
THE main happenings at the racetrack on Wednesday last surrounded the run of Crucial Appeal who missed the Prince Consort Trial event and the Pick-9 exotic wager which had reached the appealing amount of $4.77 million.
Having caught the eye as a two-year-old with a splendid 56.3 over the five straight, Crucial Appeal returned at three on March 2 at six-and-a-half furlongs, finishing third behind Rock Union and Royal Vibes. Although this chestnut gelding by Crucial Trial-Late Appeal led in that race, he folded badly in the straight.
On Wednesday running over the five-round course with Prince Holder in the saddle and carrying a mere 108 lbs, and for the first time using Lasix, Crucial Appeal led, as expected, this time on entering the final two furlongs of the event, he accelerated nicely to win the non-winners of two race with consummate ease.
Crucial Appeal was not racing against the best of the three-year-old lot, yet his run renewed hope that he does possess some talent and will easily win more races. The use of Lasix by Crucial Appeal is what made the difference in his performance as he really looked impressive in the last furlong.
As to his chances in the 2000 Guineas on April 6, that is left to be seen, but he has at least triggered some enthusiasm among his connections. If he starts in the Guineas, Crucial Appeal will have to carry 126 lbs, an 18-lb difference.
Another matter which racing fans were giving their views on was whether or not the much-loved and effervescent apprentice Prince Holder is going to get a ride in any of the first two Classic races, the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas.
Holder has been doing all the work and on raceday is showing all the attributes of developing into a fine jockey. He is a small in stature lad, who rides at very light weights. In the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas Classic races, jockeys are not allowed to slip weight, with the maximum 126 lbs allotted to all. The same applies in the Oaks (confined to fillies). In the Derby and St Leger colts and geldings are allotted 126 lbs and fillies 121 lbs.
Although Holder has piloted the pre-race favourite for the 1,000 Guineas Argentina to victory in the Thornbird, and has been associated with some of the main contenders for the 2,000, the problem he faces riding in any of these two races is dead weight.
With Holder riding at approximately 108 lbs it will in effect mean that the trainer of any horse he rides will have to add weight to reach the required 126 lbs or 121 lbs. In the past, trainers have shown great reluctance in using dead weight over live weight and we can expect this practice to continue, possibly leaving the young Holder as a Classic race spectator. Time will, however, answer this question.