Well, how bad a run was that? I'm referring to the flop of Squamosa in the Takeover Target Stakes at Gosford on Friday. The horse gave in like the proverbial pricked balloon as soon as he entered the straight. No wonder the stewards were quick to start an inquiry. Here's their report: 'When questioned regarding the performance of Squamosa, rider N Rawiller stated that he was confident with how the horse was travelling in the early stages, however when he placed Squamosa under pressure approachin

Well, how bad a run was that? I'm referring to the flop of Squamosa in the Takeover Target Stakes at Gosford on Friday. The horse gave in like the proverbial pricked balloon as soon as he entered the straight. No wonder the stewards were quick to start an inquiry. Here's their report: 'When questioned regarding the performance of Squamosa, rider N Rawiller stated that he was confident with how the horse was travelling in the early stages, however when he placed Squamosa under pressure approaching the 500m he became concerned when the colt failed from that point to respond to his riding and was disappointing in its run to the line. He added that he had ridden Squamosa since its last start win in the June Stakes on 11 June 2011 where he and the stable were pleased with the horse's work. A post race veterinary examination of Squamosa did not reveal any abnormalities. Stable representative M Norton could offer no explanation for the disappointing 4 performance and agreed with N Rawiller that the horse had worked extremely well leading into the event and undertook to report back on the progress of Squamosa in the days subsequent.

The stewards' report tells us absolutely nothing, of course. They rarely do. Everyone is puzzled, everyone scratches their head and the punter is left in the dark as to why his money went so rapidly and uselessly down the drain. I look forward to a more comprehensive report from the Gai Waterhouse stable about this monumental form reversal.