Bobcat doesn't course prey like a cheetah or dog. Bobcats really lean far more heavily towards "stalk and pounce". Interestingly in pre-history another cat with a short tail was the smilodon, which was extremely specialised for pouncing on prey and tackling it, just all tackle and no chase in design, very stocky with gigantic forelimbs and a square frame that would have sacrificed a lot of running speed. So it was all about stalking and pouncing. So yeah I basically agree with you I don't think it matters for a gladiator, and may even just be something else to get injured. I don't think it effects agility in close quarters, with stationary spinning and all that. I think it more just comes into play at high speeds. Kind of like how on the tail of a plane on the fin there is a little rudder that can turn slightly from side to side. If the plane is just coasting along on the ground it probably won't do anything but at high speeds in flight it's effect on the craft is magnified and significant. Alot of dogs out there are never gonna really "take flight", and chase at the speed where the tail can really be "used".