When there is little form to study after a long lay-off like one we experienced during the Covid-19 lockdown, picking up on other clues could be more important than normal if we are to be profitable. However, these supposed ‘clues’ are not always as straightforward as they may seem. One example is jockey bookings, at which point it would be good to detail a few points on what to look for to increase the chances that what we are perceiving as a positive actually holds significance.
Of course, the better the rider the better the chance of a horse’s success, but the importance of a particular jockey booking can extend beyond riding ability. If connections have made efforts to gain the use of the best available jockey (and have convinced him or her to accept the ride) then that in itself tells us something about their hopes and expectations. But, there are a few factors that could lead us to misplace our reading of the situation.
Stable Jockeys
It’s worth becoming familiar with which jockeys are attached to which stables. We may be a big fan of a particular jockey, but if he or she has a collection of rides at a particular meeting then it will be common for some, most or even all of those bookings to be for their boss. If it’s not unusual then it may not be much of a pointer, whereas it’s likely that if they take an ‘outside ride,’ for a trainer they are not attached to and rarely ride for, then that is more of a statement and worth closer examination.
Retained Riders
Similarly, there are some jockeys who have a deal to ride the horses owned by a group or individual. Again, it’s worth knowing these associations and avoiding getting overly encouraged by a booking when in actuality it is simply due to following a contract.
Keeping the Ride
After spotting a positive jockey booking, checking whether or not this is the first time they have been paired together can also be revealing. Here we should try to see what the information tells us and make sense of the story. Has the horse been ridden by inexperienced apprentices? Can the previous run(s) be excused? Are there other horses in the race the jockey normally rides? With younger horses, if a high-profile rider sticks with a serial loser then it may be that the horse is seen as having potential that will prove worth persevering with in the long-term. Checking the trainer’s record with similar horses can be useful and help avoid us becoming involved too early in the progression.
Stable Hierarchy
Larger stables may have a number of jockeys attached to them and knowing who is the senior rider is important information and can indicate which are their most fancied on a given day, meeting or race. However, it’s also worth seeing whether the relevant horses are still being partnered by their normal pilots because the bookings could be chosen the way they have been due to familiarity rather than preference.
Timing of Bookings
When entries are made, it can be worth noting any jockey bookings that catch the eye. At this stage, the information is most likely to be useful whereas bookings made at the declaration stage will commonly include plenty of instances when it is merely a case of horse doesn’t have jockey, jockey doesn’t have ride, horse and jockey get put together. In the latter case what may appear to be a positive actually means little more than both parties taking advantage of circumstance whereas the former involves planning and nailing colours to the mast at an early stage.