On the face of it, I suppose the ride by SDS on Illustration would be a good advert for the anti-whip brigade / current rules.
If ever a horse could have done with a few encouragements during a race with the air-cushioned pro cushion, Illustratrion was that horse. Luckily for his backers, the natural (in that he is isn't weakened by wasting) and strong SDS was on board to keep shoving and pushing away for almost the entire race. Though SDS looked absolutely knackered coming back in.
SDS had the motivation of the jockeys' championship to keep him going, how many others would have -
a) been strong and fit enough? b) had the motivation given the pathetic prize money on offer?
Would jockeys like Hughes, Hills or Drowne have won on the horse?
Illustration isn't ungenuine, but is the sort of lazy horse who needs to be 'told' what to do by the pro cushion, imo.
Can you imagine a horse like him over jumps, going 3 miles in soft ground with the jockey scared to give him a few smacks mid-race for fear of breaking the rules / using his quota too soon?
Unless they have an extremely fit and motivated jockey on board, who doesn't mind pushing and shoving for 2 to 3 miles - and for peanuts in the majority of races - that sort of 'lazy' horse ain't going to be winning and a lot of races are going to be rendered uncompetitive this winter, with the spectacle diminished, imo.
Very few jockeys would have won on Illustration for the reasons you pointed out.
I'm glad I don't follow the Jumps as much as the flat as I can see this NH season becoming an absolute farce if the jockeys are not able to do what they need to do to keep a horse racing ... some of these old chasers have minds of their own - they will have been used to being slapped approaching every fence for the last few years and when it doesn't happen .... will they take off ? or are these rules going to cause a lot more falls and injuries than we have seen before .
I hope not.
The point about your post is 100% correct.Very few jockeys would have won on Illustration for the reasons you pointed out.I'm glad I don't follow the Jumps as much as the flat as I can see this NH season becoming an absolute farce if the jockeys are