Is Racing Bent?

No!

But, I’ve known several times when those who understand it have all been on a horse at 20-1 or more. Why! Because they understand form and know what a well horse looks like! It also helps if the trainer doesn’t bet himself and he is unfashionable.

The classic was some years ago, where we saw Terimon’s last piece of work before the Derby and were told by the trainer, he would beat more than beat him. We all had a small investment each-way at 500-1. He came second!

He later turned out to be a lot better horse than the bookie’s thought him to be.

Could it be that they are saying things are bent when they get it wrong?

 

Florida Celebrates

Only Jeb Bush would celebrate 25 years of the death penalty with an execution.

Don't go to Florida on holiday!

 

Barbecues

We once had a barbecue cooked by a Michelin-starred chef!

It wasn’t that good, which proves why we haven’t cooked any since the kids left home! Barbecues are rubbish!

 

Moaning Scots

On the radio today, a Scot moaned about not wanting to pay for the Olympics in London.

Isn’t the pot calling the kettle black about the Scottish Parliament, which is one of the best ways of burning money for no return every invented.

 

11 Plus

As someone who took the 11-plus, (as did my wife!) and then sent three children through school, I can honestly say that any selective exam is a total irrelevance.

Two factors are many times more important :-

1. Success is due in the main to quality and respected teachers. Just like in the adverts.

2. Failure and bad student performance, is very often the result of unruly, disruptive and bullying students to not be separated from those who want to learn.

It was the same at my high class grammar school in London in the 60’s as it is in a poorly-performing comprehensive today.

Cut out the dogma and look at the statistics.

 

Unwanted Calls

I’ve started to get automated unwanted calls, where you get a computer-generated human voice trying to sell you a holiday in somewhere like Florida (Yuck!) They are so dumb, one even talked to my answerphone for a couple of minutes.

They are all from the US, so add it to the pile of unwanted American imports!

 

Africa

Africa must be Mandelarised!

Until every country has a creditable, universally and fairly chosen leader, who sets an example to his or her people and who doesn’t steal all the country’s assets, there is little that any conference, or outside initiative can do!

Zaire, Nigeria and Zimbabwe would all be rich prosperous countries, but for their corrupt dictators.