Kelso

Ok , let's take the Cheltenham Festival (this is the 'Cheltenham Festival' forum after all) . Twenty-odd runners lining up for what is for many the biggest race of their career . As owners this is the meeting at which we all aspire to have a runner . The starter has a nigh on impossible task getting the whole field in a single line and has to use his/her judgement . On the whole they do a decent job but this would not be helped by added pressure from random contributors on a random forum to withdraw horses who are a little unsettled by the noise of a large crowd and are becoming slightly edgy , particularly if among the market leaders and the prospect of rule 4 deductions in a majority of races . Punters , like owners , want to see their horses run and therefore we all need to show a bit of patience as the starter tries his hardest to give all competitors an equal chance from the outset .

I meant to post it to the racing forum but I would still hold to my principle that if a horse has failed to arrive at the starting area a minute before post time when all of the rest have been there for 3 minutes or more it should be withdrawn whatever the reason. So long as the rule was clear, there could be no disputes. At the moment there is no incentive for connections to a) get the horse into the paddock on time, b) get it to the post with the rest or c) teach it to go into the stalls or line up properly. The only people who lose out are connections of the other horses and if there is a clash, punters and bookmakers. I was an owner for 25 years so I know the disappointment of not running (on one occasion it was because the course blacksmith had not turned up) but in no other sport apart from tennis is there such a casual attitude to time keeping.

Agree with your comment re late arrival in the parade ring or late arrival at post etc. I thought you were referring specifically to horses who are reluctant to line up with the rest . This is very often an issue of temperament and can be influenced by large and vociferous crowds such as Cheltenham , Aintree etc. and the requirement to parade in front of the stands prior to major races .
As for reluctance to enter the stalls for flat races I believe that stalls tests should be applied stringently because this can be unfair on horses who load early and have to contend with horses becoming restless in adjacent stalls or in the gathering area .

I agree up to a point Reynard but even horses that refuse to line up for more than a minute or so are seriously affecting the other runners and disrupting a whole days racing. I happen to think that it would  not happen nearly as much if the rule was tightened up. Look at false starts in athletics. No second chances and miraculously they almost all wait for the gun now. I know that people will say horses are different but they reflect their trainer imo.