One of the downsides of the knowledge at beckoning internet age is that it has decimated the old fashioned chinwag when those involved discuss their shared favourite subject, with the detail and supporting evidence for a particular view proudly recalled from memory alone.
When the subject matter is horse racing, it is only really pre 1980's that embedded knowledge is used alone, for eras since can be referenced very quickly by Google search. Particularly since the late 1980's, from at which point the online Racing Post form book is available, the spoiler of most quizzes.
In fact anyone setting an online quiz has to ensure that the questions put cannot be found at the touch of a button. Some will tell you that researching on the internet is really no different than visiting a dusty storeroom containing old newspapers and books, and while specialist research does bring the two methods closer together, it just doesn't feel the same, with the newer, more clinical method, lacking the kudos attached to the now less needed traditional form.
It is why we enjoy listening or reading people reminiscing over an era not as meticulously recorded as the present. Some of it may just be conjecture, rumour, with details dressed up for effect, or in some cases maybe not. It's up to the listener or reader to judge.
I love to hear and read about Crepello. We are told that this is the animal that highlighted best, the genius of Noel Murless. Nevertheless, when you get down to the nitty gritty of the colt's performances, you cannot sum him up as being anything near outstanding unless you make provisions for his fragile pegs,
In contrast, it is disconcerting when you hear some fans talk of a need for past greats to be reassessed. They will cynically point out that if both the Timeform ratings of Arkle and Flyingbolt were anything near accurate, then it must of been a miracle that they were in the same yard at the same time.
They will then add that while they will accept that Arkle was very likely the best steeplechaser there has ever been, his rating is still exagerated and should be downsized.
Those of us too young at the time to have memories of Arkle may be able to understand how those who witnessed his career feel when we read similar views about how the ratings of Night Nurse and Monksfield are too high.
These people will champion the Istabraq age, when the ranks were weak and the dominant force was followed home in his Champion Hurdle victories by his run of the the mill stable companion Theatreworld twice, and Hor La Loi on the other occasion.
By contrast, Night Nurse and Monksfield were properly tested on regular occasions during the greatest hurdling era ever. There was no adding a subjective amount of pounds on for ease of victory over opponents a couple of tiers lower; their ratings will be as accurate as can possibly be.
Returning to the issue of the internet spoiling raw, recall chatter. There is no turning back so we'll have to live with it. It does indeed have many strengths and in truth far more positives than negatives.
But one facility that horse racing does not have is an equivalent to the IMDb database. Some us cannot now watch an old movie, series or sitcom, without a tablet on the knee opened on the IMDb site.
There is no need anymore for your enjoyment of a programme to be disturbed because you are racking your brains trying to remember what programme you have seen a familiar looking actor or actress in. Or maybe you are just curious to know what became of them, or whether they have passed away, or the film locations used.
The other night I was watching, for the umpteenth time, an early Columbo episode called Murder By The Book. It's the one in a which a character played by David Cassidy's dad murders his co- writing partner who wants to go it alons as a sole writer.
In the episode, a goofy looking lady with a distinctive voice had sussed out what had happened. She too is then murdered by Jack Cassidy after attempting to blackmail him.
With IMDb at the ready, I discovered that the actress who played the unfortunate goofy woman was in real life called Barbara Colby(pictured). In 1975, she and a fellow actor were in a car park in Los Angeles, having just left an acting academy, when they were both shot dead in cold blood. No motive has ever been established in the many years that have since passed and it remains an open,unsolved case, stranger than and just as intriguing as most Columbo episodes.
A horse racing IMDb equivalent would be welcome. It could be based around the results of all of the top grade races worldwide, and with a similar approximate one hundred year history at least. The cross referencing facilities would have links to all of the jockeys, owners and trainers involved, in addition to the horses and their sires and dams.
The links would be more than just stats and figures; in the IMDb spirit they would be to biographies, the depth of which depending on the level of success of the subject, or whether there are titbits of note.
It is the modern way of gathering knowledge and for those in favour of so called ' keeping up with the times ', yet who champion some of the stupidest innovations, then something what would be an addition, that may help consolidate interest amongst new fans, and would not be objected too, would surely be worth setting up
Image Wiki - Fair Use
There is no need anymore for your enjoyment of a programme to be disturbed because you are racking your brains trying to remember what programme you have seen a familiar looking actor or actress in. Or maybe you are just curious to know what became of them, or whether they have passed away, or the film locations used.
The other night I was watching, for the umpteenth time, an early Columbo episode called Murder By The Book. It's the one in a which a character played by David Cassidy's dad murders his co- writing partner who wants to go it alons as a sole writer.
In the episode, a goofy looking lady with a distinctive voice had sussed out what had happened. She too is then murdered by Jack Cassidy after attempting to blackmail him.
With IMDb at the ready, I discovered that the actress who played the unfortunate goofy woman was in real life called Barbara Colby(pictured). In 1975, she and a fellow actor were in a car park in Los Angeles, having just left an acting academy, when they were both shot dead in cold blood. No motive has ever been established in the many years that have since passed and it remains an open,unsolved case, stranger than and just as intriguing as most Columbo episodes.
A horse racing IMDb equivalent would be welcome. It could be based around the results of all of the top grade races worldwide, and with a similar approximate one hundred year history at least. The cross referencing facilities would have links to all of the jockeys, owners and trainers involved, in addition to the horses and their sires and dams.
The links would be more than just stats and figures; in the IMDb spirit they would be to biographies, the depth of which depending on the level of success of the subject, or whether there are titbits of note.
It is the modern way of gathering knowledge and for those in favour of so called ' keeping up with the times ', yet who champion some of the stupidest innovations, then something what would be an addition, that may help consolidate interest amongst new fans, and would not be objected too, would surely be worth setting up
Image Wiki - Fair Use
No comments:
Post a Comment