The Cup Page #4

CALLER:
Candidates are parading

now for the big one today,

the Geelong Cup runners

in the mounting yard

for the 2002 Geelong Cup.

And jockeys are about to mount

up. We have 2 riding changes...

(Media Puzzle squeals, snorts)

He's not short on spirit-

that's for sure.

Has he got anything left?

At least you know

he's got plenty of kick in him.

You'll need it when you make

your move on the home straight.

- No way.

- What?

- This is my home track.

- And?

If Damien waits till the home

straight to make his move,

he'll be looking at a wall

of ten horses wide.

I've seen it too many times.

That's the short straight.

If a hole doesn't open on the

rail, he'll have to swing wide,

and, by then, it's too late.

Well, you know, that mightn't be

the way Dermot sees it.

If it's any consolation, my

brother raced here a fair bit.

He says the same thing.

You...you do realise

what you'd be asking of me.

Mm. That I do, brother.

To go against Dermot's orders.

Just a whisker.

- If I alter his instructions...

- And do anything but win...

Mate, you'd be fired?

That wouldn't be very Irish,

Damien. Far too merciful.

(Phone rings)

That'll be him.

Look, Dermot will keep him on.

I've no doubt about that.

I also know for the rest of his

days, Dermot will have him

with the worst horses

at every two-bit pitch-and-toss

meeting in Ireland.

In the dead of winter.

DAVE:
Guess what.

He wants you to fall off the

pace as soon as possible

and don't make a move

until the home straight.

Righto.

RACE CALLER:
Jockeys are up.

Field's about to parade now,

ladies and gentlemen.

Cyclades, the top-placed

from New Zealand...

So, what's it gonna be?

We really going

with Dermot's instructions?

(Chuckles) Good on you, mate.

Now we're playing Aussie Rules.

(Phone rings)

- Yep?

- We're ready to race.

And Damien understands

our strategy?

One hundred per cent.

CALLER:
Old Tawny

into the outside gate.

We're set for a start.

They've jumped at a good line.

National Treasure came out

quickly on the inside...

Clean break.

We're in good shape.

Is he falling off the pace?

Not yet. They're coming down the

straight for the first time.

Then comes next Media Puzzle,

over on the outside...

DERMOT:
He was supposed to fall

off the pace at the very start.

- You told him that, right?

- I swear to God.

They're into the first turn.

- How far has he fallen back?

- He's...

- ..fifth or sixth.

- Oh, God damn it!

He's not happy.

I'll get you a job over here.

Honest, boss - I did tell Damien

your instructions

were to drop back

as quickly as he could.

He'll drop back alright, yeah.

As soon as he sees

the finish line.

Come on, big fella.

CALLER:
L'Avenir in front,

leading by eight lengths

to Lightuma.

Two lengths third is Freegold,

followed by Southern Crown.

One and a half Requiem. Two away

then was Media Puzzle...

Tell me I didn't just hear that.

Unfortunately, you did.

David, didn't I tell you

how difficult it is

to convince an owner

to bring a horse

halfway around the world?

- But, Dermot...

- I told you!

It's not the money. It's the

confidence, in me! In you.

CALLER:
..by six or seven

lengths to Lightuma.

Two away, third Freegold,

Southern Crown,

then Media Puzzle

one and a half from the back

followed by Piachay,

and L'Avenir...

NIALL:
He's there. He's there!

- He could be.

Now they jam up,

followed by Media Puzzle...

Media Puzzle's battling

for first!

Forlorna making a run with

Piachay. And further back...

He's taken the lead!

He's pulling away!

And it's Media Puzzle...

Come on!

Piachay's starting

to give chase.

Come on, Damien! Come on!

Yes! He's flying down

the straight!

(Muffled) He's gonna win it

for us! Yes!

- Piachay, Southern Crown...

- Yes!

Old Tawny from back...

(Both cheer)

- But it's Media Puzzle...

- You're in the Cup, my boy.

Media Puzzle wins

by three lengths.

Oh, Damien, you little champion!

DAVE:
Did you hear that?

A new track record!

Confidence, Dave.

Like I said, it's all about

confidence.

I just hope those Irish

appreciate what they've got.

Well done, mate.

Fan-bloody-tastic.

Couldn't have done it

without you, Jase.

Your tip made

all the difference.

Looks like you owe me

that bottom dollar.

(Chuckles) It's yours, my boy.

Jason, Dave again.

He's going in.

TV ANCHOR:

High spirits in the Irish camp,

following Media Puzzle's

runaway victory.

Next week's Melbourne Cup was

shaping up as a two-horse race

between Weld's Vinnie Roe

and Pugin,

the standard bearer of Sheikh

Mohammed's Godolphin Stables.

But now the Irish Wizard

may well have the upper hand,

as he readies not one

but two formidable entries

for next week's Cup.

REPORTER:
But nothing

can detract

from the horrors of Bali.

All Australia is in mourning.

Melbourne's Spring Street

was awash with flowers.

They may not have known

the Bali victims,

but for many Australians

there is a deep connection...

the fact that so many died

so close to home.

May I remind you all

this is a barrier trial?

Now, it might sound odd,

gentlemen,

but the point of this exercise

is to get horses that have never

been near a starting gate

and to actually get them

inside one.

When that happens,

if that happens,

we might even show 'em

how to start.

Easy, easy, easy, easy...

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

Last horse in.

33-year-old male jockey.

Horse came down on him.

Unresponsive at scene.

Vitals unstable.

Andy, you're on

airway breathing

Elly, you take circulation.

And call the CT scanner

and tell him we'll be down soon.

We started two 16-gauge IVs

with saline,

but we were unable

to intubate him

in the field due

to his unstable neck.

Right. Transferring on three.

One, two, three.

He arrived 30 minutes ago. The

best doctors are working on him.

This way.

Just through here.

Here. Let me take your bag.

But surely... If he's breathing?

Mrs Oliver, these machines

can keep his body alive,

but his spirit's

already left us.

(Sobs)

Oh!

Oh, such a brave boy

you are, Damien.

Such brave boys.

So, Doctor,

what's that in English?

Can we just pull

over here, mate?

You right?

Yeah, I'm OK.

I just need a second.

(Sobs)

REPORTER:
Damien!

OFFICER:
Excuse us. Thank you.

REPORTERS:

How's your brother doing?

Will he be able to ride again?

Oh, Dame.

Mum, come here, come here,

come here. It's OK.

It's OK, alright?

They're doing everything

they can. Alright?

They're pretty clever

these days.

(Cardiac monitor beeps,

ventilator pumps)

TV ANCHOR:
Today's accident

must be devastating

for Pat Oliver, Damien's mother.

Her husband, Ray,

one of Western Australia's

most popular jockeys,

suffered an horrific fall

27 years ago.

Rushed to hospital, Ray Oliver

never regained consciousness

and died shortly after, leaving

Pat the widowed mother of Jason,

then five,

and three-year-old Damien.

Today's events will undoubtedly

have a dramatic effect

on next week's Melbourne Cup,

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