HALFWAY THROUGH the flat season, it has become apparent that the jockeys’ title will, in all probability, be decided by the lowest total of winners since Steve Cauthen’s 130 back in 1984.
The 2005 season has not seen a repeat of last year’s enthralling duel between Frankie Dettori and Kieren Fallon; Dettori is out injured with his main stable in the doldrums, while Fallon is riding in Ireland. That leaves ‘nearly-men’ Robert Winston (81 wins), Jamie Spencer (78) and Seb Sanders (70) to fight out the current championship.
Neither was aboard smooth King George VI winner Azamour who pulverised his field in a new course record time. Mick Kinane, the winning jockey, and Fallon look likely to contest the British Horse Racing Board’s championships, calculated on winnings rather than winners. Azamour is now 5-1 for the Arc.
