Horse Racing

[charliesteve]

Hi watching racing on itv from goodwood. Can anyone tell me why the 1.50 race was a flag start. Watching other races and stalls start.

[brian j john]

In horse racing, a flag start is employed when it is impossible, for whatever reason, to use starting stalls or a starting tape. In emergency circumstances, including, but not limited to, starting equipment failure, less than the requisite number of stalls handlers being available or the ground being sufficiently soft to prevent the manoeuvre of starting stalls, any race may be started by flag, subject to approval by the starter or stewards

[brian j john]

It was a 2 1/2 miles race , maybe that that's another reason, unlike a sprint distance where each horse gets to start exactly the same time ?

[Ken4155]

Don't quite know why, but this particular race has been flag started since 2018. Cool Sky was the last to win from the stalls (18) back in 2017.

[Ken4155]

I didn't see the first race. What happened to Just Hubert? I'm assuming it didn't start/refused to run because i have been returned my £5 stake and it has been declared void in my Lucky 15.

[Togo]

Refused To Race Ken and took no part. No stalls means stake returned.

[Ken4155]

365 called it a 'gesture of goodwill' Togo :-)

[Togo]

Haha. Goodwill from a bookie. :))

[Togo]

Just been having a look at the replay.Just Hubert never moved a muscle and did not even approach what looks like a "starting line". The other horses moved forward and began to canter but were called back. Just Hubert refused to go a second time so the starter let them go this time. I think I know why there are no stalls. The starting point for this marathon race is on one of the tails of the course that is very narrow compared to the rest of the course. There is obviously not enough room to put a rack of starting stalls for 20 runners. They likely use starting stalls when the field has less runners if the requisite number of stalls will fit safely.

[Ken4155]

Aw, don't be mean, Togo. 365 have kindly offered to pay me out as a winner should any of my selections go 10 points clear in any of the top European Football Leagues, irrespective of whether or not they actually go on to win. All i have to do now is to find four or five teams who are more than capable of doing just that, then throwing them together in a sizeable acca :-))

[Togo]

Just been having another look at the track. That race actually starts at what is the winning post for all the races not out on a tail of the course. So perhaps they cannot get the stalls out of the way for when the race ends (about 4½ minutes). However prior to 2018 the race always had a start from the stalls. Don't know whether elfin safety, covid fears, or a change to the track or stands, or a different starting point itself has necessitated the change to a flag start, but I am looking.