09/06/2010  Happy Valley  Race 1

As the start was effected, PURE ALPHA lifted its front feet off the ground and was slow to begin. HUMONGUS and SMART CODE bumped at the start. Near the 1200 Metres, HUMONGUS was steadied away from the heels of SMART CODE (G Cheyne) which shifted in. G Cheyne was advised to ensure that he is sufficiently clear when shifting ground in future. Passing the 500 Metres, AMERICAN GLORY and PURE ALPHA raced tight inside PRIMIATA which was commencing to give ground. FABULOUS START was held up for clear running rounding the Home Turn and in the early part of the Straight. Throughout the race, PRIMIATA travelled wide and without cover. The performances of PRIMIATA and MAGIC PRACTITIONER, which finished tailed out, were considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, PRIMIATA and MAGIC PRACTITIONER will both be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding his riding out of ROMANCING TAMAR in the Straight, Z Purton stated that his mount took some time to reach the leader, ZERO GRAVITY in the Straight. He said after reaching the lead passing the 200 Metres, he struck ROMANCING TAMAR on two occasions with the whip in a backhanded manner and, in his opinion, the horse resented being struck with the whip as it got its head on the side and shifted in towards ZERO GRAVITY. He said therefore he put the whip away and rode ROMANCING TAMAR hands and heels, however, he became concerned that ROMANCING TAMAR had not sprinted clear of ZERO GRAVITY at this time. He added for this reason he gave the horse another hit with the whip in the backhanded fashion inside the 100 Metres, however, ROMANCING TAMAR again gave him the impression that it was resenting being hit with the whip. He said although he was aware that HUMONGUS was finishing off the race strongly and ROMANCING TAMAR was labouring, he elected not to continue to use the whip on the horse but rather to ride it out hands and heels in the hope that it would respond to being ridden this way. He said when he had previously ridden ROMANCING TAMAR to run 2nd on 24 February 2010, he had used the whip in the left hand on a number of occasions but put the whip away over the final 100 Metres as he felt on that occasion that ROMANCING TAR was not responding to being struck with the whip. After viewing the videos of tonight’s race as well as Z Purton’s ride on 24 February 2010, the Stewards advised Z Purton that his explanation would be reported. A veterinary inspection of AMERICAN GLORY and MAGIC PRACTITIONER after the race did not show any significant findings. HUMONGUS and ROMANCING TAMAR were sent for sampling. <10/6/2010 Additional Veterinary Report> AMERICAN GLORY, which performed poorly, was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said at that time there were no significant findings. AMERICAN GLORY was again examined by the Veterinary Officer at the stables of Trainer C Fownes this morning. He said at this time he noted the horse to be lame in its left front leg. Before being allowed to race again, AMERICAN GLORY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.