Robert Cowell and Pat Cosgrave raring to go as seasonal return draws near

For racing folk, the 2020 Flat season is a weekly rollover with no financial reward.

Trainers, jockeys and stable staff have had to adjust to the miserable slogan ‘a new normal’ in the most abnormal of circumstances.

But in every yard there is cautious optimism that racing will be the first sport to return.

Sprint King Robert Cowell is a trainer who’s experienced success everywhere from Group 1 to plating level, and is desperate to get his exciting team of youngsters out on the track.

In an interview with talkSPORT2 on Saturday, he said: “I’m really excited about this season. “I’ve gone about it in a slightly different way and have now got my horses very fit and they’re ticking time-bombs ready for action. 

“I’m just starting to ease off them a little bit now and only need a gallop before they’re ready.

“We have around 32-33 who are ready and six or seven of those are two-year-olds who I’m dying to unleash. 

“If we can’t get racing within a month I will probably send my horses into town for a ‘mock race’ just to keep their fitness up.”

Plenty has been said by trainers over the past few weeks about the lack of leadership shown by the BHA, but Cowell doesn’t fall into that category.

With the government having pushed back all sport behind closed doors until at least June 1, the master of Bottisham Heath is philosophical about the situation.

He added: “Saturday mornings are a hive of activity in a racecourse yard and usually our office would be jammed with phone calls and we’d be getting ready to go racing. 

“But we can only be given the green light to go racing once the government says we can. 

“We have everything in place and the resumption committee have done a great job to get things ready for a very swift return.”

A trainer’s view is very different to that of a jockey, though both are working towards the same goal of a seamless return to the track.

Pat Cosgrave is looking on the bright side and unlike many of his weighing-room colleagues, doesn’t have to worry too much about keeping fit.

He told talkSPORT2: “Some guys struggle with their weight and some don’t. 

“Different jockeys would tell you different things but I’ve dealt with it pretty well really. 

“I’ve been racing the last 21 years without a long break so in terms of longevity it might actually help me to extend my career!

“Obviously we want to get back racing, and obviously financially it’s not easy to deal with. 

“I don’t know the ins and outs of what’s happening behind the scenes, but I will be glad to get back racing wherever it is.”

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