Flaming luck in the Year of the Fire Horse

How is the New Year treating you? Of course, we’re talking about the Chinese New Year, which arrived a week ago, ushering in the Year of the Horse. You’d imagine this would be a very auspicious time for horse racing and racing devotees, but it’s not yet clear if this is the case for all of us.

Trainer Sean Tarry’s doing well, but his current winning streak did start before New Year on 17 February. Names that spring to mind in terms of a swing of fortune include Candice Bass, Tara Laing, Des McLachlan, Wayne Agrella and Nicholas Patel. When it comes to punting strategies to follow in the Year of the Horse, there’s precious little to guide us.

Complicating the explanations of the year’s secrets is the fact that there are not only animals to consider. Within the cycle of 12 creatures – rat, goat, snake etc – there is also an annual rotation of five elements – water, wood, metal, earth and fire. So, we’re in both Horse and Fire right now – and there’s also yin and yang factors to consider; oh, and about 60 heavenly bodies.

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So, as with all divination and prediction, it’s easy to hedge bets. The problem comes when you actually want to place a real bet. News giant CNN turned to Thierry Chow, a Hong Kong-based feng shui consultant who blends traditional Chinese geomancy with modern elements.

“Bing represents the big sun, and the horse, as a zodiac animal, is also a fire sign. So this is probably one of the most fiery years you will get,” declared Chow. Racing people are not short of strong opinions and are generally loath to admit that they harbour fanciful notions about luck, charms and alignments of stars.

But, secretly, many of them are wildly superstitious. Many a successful trainer or owner would not set foot on a racecourse without their lucky socks or under-rods and often have a favourite spot to watch races from (“just don’t tempt fate”). Do not even think of wearing green in their presence!

Indeed, many racing folk – not all – are very like Chinese people when it comes to superstition. For the latter, the number 8 is very lucky, whereas 4 is a no-no. Red is a good colour for warding off evil – and is fortuitously aligned with the Fire Horse we are riding. Whatever you do, don’t give anyone a watch or clock as a gift this year or any year.

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