How Hard is it to Fix a Race?

Not many people realised it, but there was a "boatie" at Belmont Park last week. A "boatie" (boat race), or a "one outer" is another term for a fixed race where collusion between riders usually determines the outcome of the race, rather than the ability of individual horses.

So, where was the "boatie"? It was at the trials last week when officials fitted a jockey with two tiny cameras on his helmet in an attempt to recreate a race where a horse storms home from the back of the field and gets up to win. The footage is to be used for the "Northerly" promotion at Ascot where people can ride a mechanical horse whilst watching the video screen in front of them, creating the impression that they're riding the great Northerly! It's a brilliant idea, but unfortunately boaties aren't that easy to arrange.

It took three goes under the controlled conditions before they got it right! So when they used to do it the old days, (and sometimes nowadays??), you've got to admire them don't you!

- Peter Morley