OTHER SPORT

MOORE'S TACTICS ECLIPSE HIS RIVALS

Ryan Moore riding Plum Pudding

Sunday July 8,2007

By Chris Goulding, Racing Correspondent

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RYAN MOORE showed why he is the champion jockey after he hoodwinked his rivals when pulling off a masterstroke to snatch victory with Notnowcato in yesterday’s Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.

Jockeys often resemble sheep but Moore was wearing the clothing of a wolf yesterday.

While his seven rivals stuck to the far side of the course, Moore came up the stand’s rail in splendid isolation.

“We just felt a length off the stands side was quicker,” said Moore.

“This fellow is so honest and gives you everything.

“He’s a brave, honest horse and has not got the credit he deserves.”

Sir Michael Stoute, who was winning the race for a fifth time, acknowledged the importance of Moore’s tactics.

“Ryan is back among the winners after he was out through injury but that was a good bit of professionalism and he deserves a lot of credit.

“He’s done his job and felt that would be the right manoeuvre.

“Notnowcato is such an honest, tough horse that we didn’t have to worry about the others not following him.

“I thought someone would follow us because they may have felt we were the danger.”

On this occasion, the usually meticulous Aidan O’Brien missed a trick.

Perhaps, O’Brien, who had walked the course, would do well to take off his sunglasses while testing the going.

Of his runners, George Washington was unfortunate not to get any room when the tempo quickened. Under the
circumstance he did well to get within a head of Authorized, the runner-up. Frankie Dettori, who picked up a three-day ban for careless riding, put on a brave face after partnering Authorized to finish a leg-weary second.

“They split into three and it’s always difficult when everyone’s trying to beat you. You can’t follow everybody - I made my decision to stay with George Washington. Unfortunately I was on my own at the furlong marker and he had a pretty difficult task.

“Hopefully he’ll redeem himself next time.”

Just for good measure, Moore repeated identical tactics when successful in the following race astride Selenika. On this occasion – yes – the rest of the field did follow him.

Moore, who made it a four timer with Ordnance Row and Danehillsundance, may have missed out on the championship this year, after a shoulder injury, but is clearly one of the best.