오늘은 Canterbury Racecourse에서 경마가 있는날~
첫 출발시각이 12시 25분이어서 10시 25분까지 경마장에 가야했는데 넉넉잡아 9시 조금 넘어 트레인을 탔더니.... 제시간에 도착 못할거 같았다.
그래서 다시 트레인에서 나와 집으로 돌아와 차를 몰고 급히 가서 겨우 제시간에 도착
도착하니 다른 Steward들은 다 와 있었다... 늦었으면 큰일날뻔 했다.
Canterbury Racecourse는 원래는 주말에는 경주가 없고 수요일마다 경주가 있는데 근래 Randwick Racecourse가 리모델링 중이어서 요즘 주말에 경주가 있단다.
경주전 체크리스트 확인 후 Terry(Betting Steward)가 Speedmap을 알려주었다. 그리고 G.Rudolph가 다른 전문가가 예상한 배당율을 불러주었다.
여기선 인기도는 따로 적지 않고 배당판에 있는 배당율을 보고 인기마를 확인하고 있었다.
오늘은 총 8경주가 있는 날이다. 상금은 8경주 모두 85,000달러, 우리나라 돈으로 거의 1억원 가까이 된다. 우리나라에 비해 상금수준은 높은 듯 하다.
오늘 심의에서 특이한 내용을 몇가지 정리해보면
1. Race 2에서 HAVANA REY라는 말이 경주 초반 선행을 잡은 후 다른 말과 큰 차이를 벌리며 앞서 나간 후 결승선에서 뒤로 쳐진 상황, 이에 대해 기수, 조교사를 호출해 진술을 듣고 반복적으로 심의를 거친 후 다른 제재없이 리포트에만 기술하였다. 여기서도 경주전개에 대해서는 중요하게 보고 있었다.
When questioned regarding the tactics adopted on Havana Rey, and in particular the fast early tempo set by the gelding (78.6 seconds over the first 1300m), T Berry stated that he had been given instructions to go forward and lead on Havana Rey and to endeavour to control the tempo in the early stages. He said that he had discussed with the connections of Havana Rey that if the pace was too quick in the early stages he would consider taking a sit in behind or to the outside of the other expected forward runner Lethal Arrow. T Berry further stated that on jumping his mount commenced awkwardly and he then elected to push along in the early stages to ensure he was able to take up a forward position, and after being able to obtain the lead after travelling a short distance, he endeavoured to restrain Havana Rey however the gelding commenced to race fiercely and took charge of him and as a consequence established a sizeable lead approaching the first turn. T Berry added that throughout the early stages he made his best endeavours to restrain Havana Rey but it would not respond to his actions and although he was aware the pace he was setting was far too quick, he was unable to use any further endeavours to get his horse to come back underneath him. T Berry stated that as a consequence of setting a fast early pace Havana Rey was under severe pressure making the home turn and weakened noticeably in the straight. Trainer B Baker confirmed the instructions and stated that Havana Rey had been given only light work in the stable subsequent to its last start win at Warwick Farm on 28 July 2012, particularly as
it was intended to back the horse up quickly today. He stated that Havana Rey has shown a tendency in both its trackwork and races to race a little keenly, however not to the extent it did today. Mr Baker attributed the racing manners of Havana Rey today to the fact that the gelding had come to the end ofits preparation and the step up in distance from the 1600m. Mr Baker advised that it was now his intention to spell Havana Rey in light of today's performance. Stewards accepted T Berry's explanations that he had made his best endeavour to attempt to ensure that the pace set by Havana Rey was not too quick, and advised Mr Baker that prior to Havana Rey resuming its next preparation it would be required to barrier trial to the satisfaction of the stewards. A post race veterinary examination of Havana Rey revealed the gelding to be displaying mild respiratory distress.
2. 경주 후 기수대기실에서 두 기수가 말다툼을 한 것에 대해 두 기수 모두에게 구두경고
Riders B Shinn and N Berry were interviewed relative to a verbal exchange that occurred following the running of Race 3 on pulling up and then continued in the jockeys' room. Both B Shinn and N Berry were advised that their conduct in the circumstances was unprofessional and in future they are to refrain from conducting themselves in such a manner. They were advised that should they have any concerns about any matter during the running of a race those concerns should be referred to the stewards.
오늘 특이하게 본 것은 심의때마다 저널리스트들이 들어와 심의내용을 직접 청취할 수 있다는 것이었다. 이는 심의내용을 완전히 언론에게 공개하기 위함이란다. 우리나라도 이런 방법을 쓰면 경마의 투명성이 더 높아지지 않을까한다.
그리고 경주 전후 기수, 조교사, 마주들이 서로 말에 대해 얘기하는 모습은 너무 부러웠다.
그리고 Chairman of Steward이든, Cadet Steward이든 각자 맡은 일들을 충실히 수행하는 모습이 보기 좋았다. 아래 사진은 chairman인 Marc가 후검량시 기수들의 헬멧과 채찍을 들어주는 모습이다. 매경주 이렇게 검량과정을 실제로 확인하고 있다.
아직 호주경마에 적응이 되지 않아 말들이 눈에 안들어온다. 특히 우리나라와 복색체계 및 마번체계가 틀려 더 어려운 거 같다.
연수 유경험자인 선배님께 전화로 여쭤보니...예습, 복습이 최고란다.... T.T 홧팅이다!!!