'Runners and riders in the Jersey Election Stakes are champing at the bit and ready for the off'

Fiona Walker

By Fiona Walker

So here we are, finally under starters orders for the quadrennial Jersey Election Stakes. The runners and riders are waiting impatiently at the starting gates. They’re pawing the ground, making a lot of noise and letting off steam, and that’s before they’ve even started. All are eager for the off, ready to demonstrate what they can achieve on this notoriously difficult and well-worn track; in previous years we’ve seen favourites fall at the first hurdle and complete outsiders unexpectedly make it across the line. There is all to play for, and this race will attract intense speculation and media interest from start to finish.

The going is likely to be rough to very rough but we’re hoping for a fair contest without too much mudslinging. For the first time, the 12-parish layout of the course has been reduced to nine districts, causing some racegoers to feel they are being penalised over which runners they can back. Many have already voiced their dissatisfaction with the new system, but a lot will depend on the outcome of this race. Who knows… in four years’ time, we may be back to those old boundaries again?

There is a varied field of entries: a number have never raced before, some tried and fell in previous years and others are former winners. Word is that some of those who were previously successful may find the going harder than usual this time, as they will be carrying handicaps based on recent performance. Their odds are not looking too good.

While some re-entries have been working and training hard over the past four years, others were conspicuous mainly by their absence. Of these, a number have been making some last-ditch efforts to raise their profiles in readiness for the June event. However, the betting public is canny and likely to be aware that certain entrants have done insufficient preparation over the past term, despite numerous opportunities to prove themselves worthy of a place.

Be aware that deals may have been made between stables to give the favourites a head start. Many regular punters, particularly in the country parishes, will remember that there was a certain amount of secrecy surrounding an agreement initiated in the last Jersey Election Stakes, which caused uproar when it was exposed. Jersey racegoers have long memories.

Talking of stables, this year we have more than ever before – all promising unity and unrivalled expertise. Each stable is hoping that the appeal of their favourites may rub off on co-runners. This, of course, could work either way: a stable with sub-standard livestock may find that all their runners are tarred with the same brush, resulting in few of them finding favour with the betting public.

There have also been suggestions that, due to the importance of this fixture, entrants should be obliged to pay a deposit, refundable only if they attract acceptable odds in the tote. This would encourage some of the old nags, who come out year after year simply because they enjoy the race rather than in any hope of winning (or even being able to do the job should they make it past the finishing post) to think twice about entering again this year.

Taking a look at the course, there are a number of tricky obstacles to be negotiated by all candidates. There is, of course, the Hustings Fence, which is always problematic, and one that the public will be watching eagerly to see how each entrant performs when assessed against their close competition. There’s also the Foot in Mouth Turn, which most normally manage to get past, but one or two are still likely to falter, and the Water Jump, which demonstrates how many of the entrants are completely out of their depth. Finally, they’ll need to get over Bailiff’s Book, a definitive barrier where contestants quite often stumble due to lack of experience both in the race itself and the real world.

Stakeholders are advised to check out the track records of all the competitors, both on and off the course, to ensure that their temperament, ability, and values are of an acceptable calibre. Remember, those who are successful in this race will go on to represent all racegoers, whether or not they placed a bet, for the next four years.

We cannot stress highly enough the importance of the 2022 Jersey Election Stakes, especially in light of forthcoming meetings, including The Hospital Handicap, The Immigration Challenge and The Housing Hurdles. We advise the public of the island to use their betting slips and use them wisely.

And they’re off…!

– Advertisement –
– Advertisement –