Off Times

Aidric

Why is it that the majority of races in Ireland go off at least a minute or two late? Now I know it's not the end of the world but it looks so amateurish.

admiralofthefleet

its not only ireland it happens everywhere, on the flat sometimes a horse will act up and will refuse to go into the gates and on the national hunt the horses might not line up properly.
those are just 2 examples

Aidric

admiralofthefleet wrote: »

its not only ireland it happens everywhere, on the flat sometimes a horse will act up and will refuse to go into the gates and on the national hunt the horses might not line up properly.
those are just 2 examples

Ah here. I am perfectly aware of what you are pointing out. My point was that it happens all the time, outside of the incidents you mention.

bit of a bogey

It was only a few years ago that if the race went off a second earlier than its dedicated time, the race would be void!!!! Kinda crazy!
So every race was going to go off a little behind time. Suppose it would be seen as unfair as not everyone would be prepared until the actual off. It then can get difficult to get 20 horses in line for a fair start. They are animals after all. I guess theres no point in sacrificing fairness and safety for time.

A behind start also greatly helps the bookmakers and the shrewd gamblers!

finbarrk

Aidric wrote: »

Why is it that the majority of races in Ireland go off at least a minute or two late? Now I know it's not the end of the world but it looks so amateurish.

Go to a Breeders Cup meeting sometime, races are never off in time. Those guys wouldn't be amateurish. Horses aren't machines that you can programe to go off at the exact time. Hop up on one of them sometime!

Aidric

finbarrk wrote: »

Horses aren't machines that you can programe to go off at the exact time. Hop up on one of them sometime!

:rolleyes: Never knew that. My point was that there is usually no good reason why the races don't start on schedule.

What difference does it make if a race goes off a few mins late?

The answer is it makes no difference.

convert

It's better a race go off a minute or two late than a minute or two early.

There's a variety of reasons why a race might go off a bit late - horses acting up, problems with tack, stewards/starter being a little late getting to the start, technical reasons, etc. etc. etc.

Aidric

Dakota Old Rosewood wrote: »

What difference does it make if a race goes off a few mins late?

Not a jot when you're on course. I'm talking from the perspective of TV scheduling.
Look at the races in Britain. Almost always off bang on time. A stewards inquiry is called for any delay longer than 3 minutes.