Random thoughts of a racing man observing the current AFL issues...

In football, when a correctly-placed television camera caught the drama of Daniel Wells becoming a last-minute withdrawal after injuring his quad just prior to the game starting, North Melbourne bled like stuck pigs because if it brought in a replacement from outside the squad (Nathan O'Keefe) it would lose $20,000.

In racing, after a misplaced television camera caused Maldivian to split his neck open and bleed like a stuck pig before becoming a last minute withdrawal in the 2007 Caulfield Cup, an uncomplaining trainer Mark Kavanagh couldn't bring in any replacement and lost $1.5 million.

In football, when St Kilda looked likely to lose to Hawthorn after going stride for stride last Friday night, no one was really sure what happened when an interchange infringement was called by an umpire. Despite being surprised, everyone agreed and accepted it because there was no strategically placed camera and no replay of the incident to inform them of what happened.

In racing, when Might and Power looked likely to lose to Doriemus after going stride for stride in the 1997 Melbourne Cup, no one was really sure what happened. Then the judge looked at the print and decided that the former beat the latter by a nose, and despite being surprised, everyone agreed on the decision and accepted it because they were informed after looking at the strategically placed camera and replay.

In football, when it was decided that Jason Akermanis could no longer be trusted, the career of an immortal was ended by a public axing.

In racing, when it was decided that Kingston Town could no longer be trusted, the career of an immortal was started by a private gelding.

In football, Akermanis publicly giving his thoughts about the disadvantages of being gay in his industry was the beginning of the end.

In racing, Kingston Town's trainer publicly giving his thoughts about the advantages of being with Gai in his industry was the end of her beginning.

In football, some say one of the most disappointing coaching careers is underway up north as Michael Voss is tarring his name by losing matches with players from other stables like Brendan Fevola, Matt Maguire, Andrew Raines and Xavier Clarke, who have been accused of playing like ordinary Joes and not showing enough pride under pressure. In racing, some say one of the most promising training careers is underway up north as Joe Pride is making his name by winning races with horses from other stables like Vision and Power, Neeson, Hadaaf & Miss Marielle, who fight like caged lions under pressure.

In football, the current leading coach is called Malthouse who is often moody post-game while the current leading trainer is called Moody, and is built like an outhouse. He is usually fine post-race.

In football, Bryce Selwood, the father of young stars of the game Troy, Adam, Scott and Joel gets free tickets to the footy for his efforts.

In racing, Fastnet Rock, the father of young stars of the track Rock Classic, Wanted, Irish Lights and Rothesay gets a full book of mares at $137,500 a visit for his efforts.

In football, when a journalist is officially confirmed as a "wobbler", a television producer calls up and they are sadly placed in front of a camera and given a segment.

In racing, when a horse is officially confirmed as a "wobbler" a vet is called in and they are sadly led behind a green screen and given an injection.

Finally, in racing, when horses start slipping it's usually due to surface water on a firm, low cut surface at a turning part of the track. The solution is to harrow the ground so that the gallopers can then grip the surface. No one suggests the farrier puts long stops on their racing plates. Heat lamps aren't used to make an already firm surface more firm. The short grass isn't cut shorter. And the jockeys show some backbone and refuse to ride until the track is safe.

"Racetrack" Ralphy Horowitz is a full-time racing analyst for private clients and media commentator for Sport 927. He is a former producer at The Footy Show, Sunday Footy Show, 3AW & SEN.