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Thread: Mick Fitzgerald

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    I have been a great fan of Micky Fitz over the years but are those years beginning to show.

    There have been a number of occasions lately that lead me to believe he should think of becoming assistant trainer to N. Henderson.

    His excessive easing down of Chomba Womba at Kempton and his denial, in an interview later on, that he had been any way in error, a number of rides where he has looked rather ineffectual in riding a finish, his unseating from Hennessy and his ride on Afsoun yesterday.
    Ah! but a man's reach should exceed his grasp......

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    Senior Member Grasshopper's Avatar
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    I think he was guilty of over-confidence/poor judgement on Afsoun yesterday, Colin. There was no need to invite Hardy Eustace into a battle, imo - he could have kicked on a half-mile out, and put the race to bed.
    "Beat the price and lose. It's what we do".

    SlimChance, March 2018

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    I would agree with your interpretation of the ride, Grass.
    Ah! but a man's reach should exceed his grasp......

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    He's always been one of my favourite jockeys. One of the reasons he had delayed his retirement was to ride Trabolgan - he must be desperately disappointed that the horse is sidelined again.
    "The religious persecution of the ages has been done under what was claimed to be the command of God. I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do to their fellows, because it always coincides
    with their own desires" -- Susan B. Anthony

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    Senior Member sunybay's Avatar
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    I like him very much,
    Afsoun was beaten on merit yesterday.

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    People were saying this about Mick Fitz in the 2004/05 season, then he bounced back with terrific years 2005/06/07. I wonder if he's slightly regretting his decision not to retire this year - he had a very good job lined up fronting some high-powered sports entertainment business. I'm pretty sure he's not going into training - the ranks are already crowded enough with Nicky's Assistants, eg Messrs Morlock and Longsdon, soon to be joined by Jamie Snowden LOL

    The yard has got off to a very late start as NH refused to seriously work or school the horses until the weather broke, so I guess Mick hasn't hit top gear either. He's still top man for me tho.

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    Fitzy has been shot for a good 3 years, anybody that watches races at the gaff tracks during the week would tell you that.

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    ATR must be paying him a fortune to tip 2/5 shots.

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    Senior Member crazyhorse's Avatar
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    Seeing as CORNISH SETT is going to win the Welsh Grand National will they give Mick the ride again? Or will Liam use his head and get on now before Sam beats him to it!!!
    I've seen a look in dogs' eyes, a quickly vanishing look of amazed contempt, and I am convinced that basically dogs think humans are nuts. (John Steinbeck)

    www.spontano.net

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    Time to hang up his boots I think. He is nearly as old as Colin Phillips.

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    Super Moderator Irish Stamp's Avatar
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    Put Mick on him Crazyhorse and they can leave Ruby Walsh to ride the winner
    Hurricane Fly - whatever he runs in he wins

    Twitter: @Quevega

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    Senior Member uncle goober's Avatar
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    Landlark are you posting as Crazyhorse again !?!?!!
    I could be the judge!

    I don't know half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.

  13. #13
    Kathy
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    Brendan Powell still rates him as a jockey and has lined him up to ride quite a few of his horses in the next few weeks. I suppose being a jockey himself he should be a fairly good judge although most jockeys go through times when they just don't seem to be able to get it right.

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    Senior Member Harbinger's Avatar
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    His strike rate over the last few seasons has been: 17%, 15%, 12%, 17%, 16% and runs so far this year at 23% so in the grand scheme of things he's doing fine.

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    Mick is a very good jockey indeed. He is picked, and valued, by trainers for a reason - you will, as one of them said to me last year, "always get your horse back". That is to say, he will not bottom your horse or leave you with vet's bills to win you a few hundred quid. He knows exactly what he has got under him, and will ride accordingly. If you want a death or glory jock, don't back Mick - but don't slag him off either, when you are just talking through your pockets

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    Fitzy has never been one of those jockeys I feel could have won on something with a stronger ride and I quite like him as a rider as he is patient and lets horses find their rhythm.

    At the end of the day they cant all be like A.P. can they !!

  17. #17
    Senior Member Harbinger's Avatar
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    but don't slag him off either, when you are just talking through your pockets
    Just because one of your favourites is being criticised doesn't mean that those doing so are talking through their pockets.

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    It seems pretty obvious from what's been written above that people have been criticising MF for not riding death or glory finishes, and that usually indicates that money has been down, and not collected. I don't mind fair criticism but in this case I think it's entirely unwarranted - and also shows a lack of comprehension of horses/riding - which is not unusual in those who habitually talk through their pockets..

  19. #19
    Senior Member Bar the Bull's Avatar
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    I don't think that Mick Fitz is riding as well as he used to.

    I have not backed a Mick Fitz horse this season.

    I am obviously showing a lack of comprehension about horses/riding.

    Sorry.
    Welsh and Proud.

  20. #20
    Senior Member Harbinger's Avatar
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    It seems pretty obvious from what's been written above that people have been criticising MF for not riding death or glory finishes
    No, it doesn't. In fact Colin and Grasshopper both agreed that he could have given Afsoun an easier race than he did.

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