23/01/2008  Happy Valley  Race 7

FLY ME TO THE MOON, which was very restless in its stall, began awkwardly and lost ground. On jumping, VIVA FIGHTER was taken across behind runners and then improved along the fence. Near the 1500 Metres, FLY ME TO THE MOON was steadied away from the heels of AMAZING ME. After the 1300 Metres, AMAZING ME was steadied away from the heels of UNIQUE SPEED which shifted in when barely clear. At the 100 Metres, as I’M NO SQUARE improved into a narrow run on its inside, DREAM HORSE, which was commencing to give ground, shifted in and bumped I’M NO SQUARE. As a result of this, DREAM HORSE became unbalanced and shifted out abruptly. When questioned, D Beadman (AMSTERDAM) said he had been instructed to ride the horse quietly in the early stages and to ensure it was positioned to obtain clear running to the outside of other runners near the 800 Metres. He said in the early stages he rode AMSTERDAM in accordance with those instructions, approaching the winning post on the first occasion he was in a position to follow VIVA FIGHTER, however, he was concerned if he did so he would not be able to shift out after entering the Back Straight as instructed. He said because of this he allowed I’M NO SQUARE to shift in front of him to follow VIVA FIGHTER. He said as a consequence AMSTERDAM raced at the rear of the field. He said near the 800 Metres as instructed he shifted to a three wide position to follow HAPPY CRUSADER which was strongly fancied in the race. He said he felt HAPPY CRUSADER would carry him forward after making the turn at the 600 Metres. He said when HAPPY CRUSADER did not improve its position after the 600 Metres, he prior to straightening shifted to the outside of that horse to ensure he had clear running in the Home Straight. He said when being ridden out AMSTERDAM closed the race off strongly. Mr J Moore, trainer of AMSTERDAM, confirmed the riding instructions issued to D Beadman. He said in his opinion AMSTERDAM is best suited when it is positioned to make a sustained run to close its races off. He said he felt if AMSTERDAM maintained a position on the rail, it would not be able to secure unimpeded running. The explanation of Mr Moore was reported. E Saint-Martin (HAPPY CRUSADER) said he endeavoured to ride his mount with cover in a midfield position, however, he was left racing three wide and without cover making the first turn. He said because of this he commenced to come back in order to obtain cover, however, he was unable to do so. He said because of this HAPPY CRUSADER travelled wide and without cover throughout the race and in his opinion this explained the horse’s poor performance. HAPPY CRUSADER was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY CRUSADER after the race did not show any significant findings. VIVA FIGHTER and MONEY MAN were sent for sampling.