Surprise gallop provides a pleasant outing for Beadman

Viva Pataca was given a surprise gallop on the eve of the Dubai Sheema Classic, but it was jockey Darren Beadman who gained the bigger surprise by learning the champion stayer's action is even better than it is at home.

Dubai's Nad al Sheba's tracks are set up for anti-clockwise racing - the opposite to Hong Kong [clockwise, right handed] and this 1,200m gallop in one minute, 26 seconds was the first anti-clockwise gallop he has had since Moore took delivery of the former British racer at the back end of 2005.

'It was my first time on him since I trialled him at Sha Tin 10 days ago,' Beadman said.

'He felt great ... more balanced going left-handed. Back home he can change his legs at times but here it feels more natural for him to lead on the left leg.

'Things have gone well,' he said. 'John is happy with his prep and I'm confident of a big run tomorrow night.'

Viva Pataca had not galloped since his arrival in Dubai and Moore had been harbouring some concerns that he would lose weight on the trip and not put it all back on. But those concerns evaporated over the past few days.

Moore said the hit-out should be viewed positively as a 'blow-out-any-cobwebs' kind of exercise.

'We went a bit quicker this morning because his body weight is now up to scratch. It was a good strong piece that he needed and he pulled up very well,' Moore said.

Viva Pataca weighed 1,096 pounds after the work.

The last time he raced, when successful in the Hong Kong Gold Cup five weeks ago, the Marju gelding tipped the scales at 1,110 pounds.

Tony Cruz gave Floral Pegasus and Bullish Luck quiet cantering work, with their fast work completed on Wednesday morning.

'This is my fifth time taking horses to Dubai and I've been as happy with their preparation as any other year,' Cruz said. 'They will run well.'

Watch What Happens also hacked around the training loop, with Sean Woods buoyant at the preparation for his Godolphin Mile outsider.

'It's all gone how I would have wished - his work, the inside draw, everything really,' Woods said. 'He's looking great and I was delighted with his gallop on Tuesday.'