COMMUNICATION 
I've just been watching a few TCK races on the TV (channel 9), and was touched to see Hironori Sato calming down his mount in the stalls with some gentle words and a pat on the neck, just as the horse was going into high-tension overload. This was perhaps a deciding factor in being able to finish well ahead of where the pre-race odds had him placed.

Hiro-san first came to my attention in the Poco Poco magazine, with his weekend Joba exploits being applied to his trade as a jockey. His conclusion, which fits in perfectly with my own policy and that of other Tokoro RC members, is that communication is of paramount importance if you're to get the best from a horse. There are a few other jockeys that are equally in tune with the horses, but it has to be said there are just as many that simply jump on and ride like hell.

In reality, motor racing is the same - short races may suit the majority, if the manufacturer can make a car strong enough, but for the likes of Le Mans (which lasts 24 hours), makers usually opt for more experienced drivers with mechanical sympathy. It's no good being the fastest for an hour, and then dropping out with a broken car. This 'feel' for the machine, being able to keep it running at 99% without ever going beyond the breaking point, translates into 'good hands' in the horse racing world. It's a joy to watch this level of craftsmanship, whichever type of track it may be on.

PS. In a different form of communication, we've now passed the 5000 visitors landmark, 60 days after we started the blog. This means an average of 83 visitors per day from all over the world. Today we welcome another new country to the audience - Sweden, with several hits from there this afternoon.