Jockey Instructions

[Belmont Park]

If you use push from gate does it take more from a horse like in a distance race he will tire more at the end? Hope I explained that right.
Thanks Much, Belmont

[Thunder Downunder]

It depends on the horse BP. Some can take a flogging where a lot can't. Some jockeys use "Push" better than others. I tend to use it up to 6F with a horse that is normally on-pace (sits in the front half of the field) but hasn't enough pace to lead. A suggestion is if you want/need to race a good miler in a 6F race, he/she could probably handle push whereas a natural front-running sprinter would probably run better with Steady Run. I have one horse in my stable that has won up to a mile with 'Push' but I am not certain whether he wins because of the instruction or whether he is better than that class that he raced in and it didn't matter what instruction I gave him.

Try experimenting with different instructions with their workouts. "Relax early..." is one that I am still experimenting with. I have had some success with an on-pace horse that has drawn wide but only at 7F or longer. With the sprint trips, they tend to get too far back, rattling home after the winner has passed the post. There are a couple of jockeys that use it better than others.

Unfortunately there is no definitive answer. I guess if you had time, analyse the fields of each race that you are competing in. Guesstimate the running position of your horse in relation to the rest (whether it will be caught wide all the way, whether it can get to the fence etc) and alter your instruction and/or your jockey accordingly prior to the race to give it its best chance of winning.

Hope this helps,