27/11/2013  Happy Valley  Race 8

EMPEROR CLAUDIUS began awkwardly and lost ground and then a short distance after the start was steadied when crowded for room between BACKBENCH BLUES and GREAT AND BEYOND which shifted in after initially shifting out and bumping LUCKY OMENS. WAYFOONG EXPRESS was slow to begin and shortly after the start was taken across behind runners after being crowded for room between INDIGO WAY and HEAR THE ROAR which was also taken across behind runners. Also from the outside barrier, EAGLE SPIRIT was shifted across behind runners to obtain a position closer to the rail. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion, WAYFOONG EXPRESS was awkwardly placed close to the heels of LUCKY OMENS. In the early part of the Straight, LUCKY OMENS got its head on the side and lay in. Near the 250 Metres, BACKBENCH BLUES was shifted in away from the heels of AMBASSADORSHIP which got its head on the side and shifted in. BACKBENCH BLUES then had some difficulty obtaining clear running until approaching the 100 Metres and then over the concluding stages raced tight with AMBASSADORSHIP. Approaching the 150 Metres, INDIGO WAY was shifted out after being bumped by BACKBENCH BLUES. After this, INDIGO WAY had difficulty obtaining clear running until near the 50 Metres. Passing the 50 Metres, GREAT AND BEYOND got its head on the side and shifted in towards HEAR THE ROAR. When questioned, U Rispoli stated that he had been instructed to position AMBASSADORSHIP in about 5th or 6th if possible with cover. He said however that AMBASSADORSHIP began extremely well and jumped clearly in front of horses drawn immediately to his inside. He said he did not believe it was reasonable for him to restrain AMBASSADORSHIP at this time, rather he allowed the horse to maintain its position with a view to hopefully positioning outside of TODOS CON SUERTE in the early stages and then steadying AMBASSADORSHIP to allow other horses to improve around his outside. He said shortly after the start GREAT AND BEYOND and BACKBENCH BLUES maintained their positions to the inside of AMBASSADORSHIP and therefore passing the 1500 Metres he attempted to steady AMBASSADORSHIP with a view to obtaining a position behind GREAT AND BEYOND. He said however that AMBASSADORSHIP got its head up and proved difficult to settle and when the pace was not strong in the early stages he was not able to steady AMBASSADORSHIP sufficiently. He said in any case GREAT AND BEYOND then improved its position to clear BACKBENCH BLUES and consequently AMBASSADORSHIP was obliged to race three wide and without cover. He added the positioning of AMBASSADORSHIP in tonight’s race was due to the manner in which the horse began and the slow tempo of the race in the early and middle stages. When questioned, O Doleuze stated that as WAYFOONG EXPRESS is one-paced, he was instructed to ensure that he was able to position WAYFOONG EXPRESS to the outside of runners and make an early move on the horse so that it did not get left flat-footed. He said passing the winning post on the first occasion he was racing in a two wide position behind LUCKY OMENS and inside CHAMPAGNE DAYS. He said near the 1200 Metres he shifted WAYFOONG EXPRESS out from behind LUCKY OMENS into a three wide position behind CHAMPAGNE DAYS with a view to improving its position and trailing AMBASSADORSHIP which was racing in a three wide position in advance of WAYFOONG EXPRESS. He added CHAMPAGNE DAYS took some time to shift in from a three wide position to follow LUCKY OMENS , however, when CHAMPAGNE DAYS was shifted in passing the 1000 Metres, he rode WAYFOONG EXPRESS along in an attempt to trail AMBASSADORSHIP. He said however that near the 800 Metres LUCKY OMENS shifted out into a three wide position to follow AMBASSADORSHIP and he was obliged to then trail LUCKY OMENS until near the 700 Metres. He said passing the 700 Metres he shifted WAYFOONG EXPRESS out in accordance with his instructions and rode the horse along so as not to be left flat-footed, however, after making a brief run, WAYFOONG EXPRESS came under pressure and in the Straight finished off the race only fairly. AMBASSADORSHIP, EMPEROR CLAUDIUS and TODOS CON SUERTE were sent for sampling.