21/06/2017  Happy Valley  Race 5

FULL GLAMOUR, which was fractious in the barrier stalls, began only fairly and then shortly after the start was crowded for room inside YOUNG EMPIRE. PACKING STONES began only fairly and then shortly after the start was crowded for room between SHANGHAI MASTER and THOR THE GREATEST, both of which shifted ground. From the outside barrier, GLORIOUS PARTNERS was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Despite being vigorously ridden along in the early stages, OUTLAWED failed to muster speed. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, SHANGHAI MASTER was awkwardly placed close to the heels of YOUNG EMPIRE. Passing the 300 Metres, WAYFOONG VINNIE was shifted to the inside of NAVAS to obtain clear running. Approaching the 100 Metres, GLORIOUS PARTNERS and GENEROUS HEART brushed. Over the concluding stages, OUTLAWED raced close to the heels of WAYFOONG VINNIE which was racing tight inside YOUNG EMPIRE. Also over the concluding stages, YOUNG EMPIRE was crowded for room inside SHANGHAI MASTER which was steadied to avoid the heels of FANTASTIC FEELING (Apprentice M F Poon) which, after shifting in under pressure, was then straightened by Apprentice Poon close to the finishing line. In this incident, Apprentice Poon was required to stop riding his mount in order to straighten it. Apprentice Poon was severely reprimanded and told that whilst he had straightened his mount to prevent causing interference to his inside, nonetheless, in the opinion of the Stewards, he should have taken the corrective action earlier than he did on this occasion. The Stewards heard a complaint lodged by Mr J P Ridley, the Club’s Director of Racing Operations, regarding a matter involving Jockey Z Purton prior to the winning presentation following this race. After taking evidence from Mr Ridley and Jockey Purton and after viewing the video footage with associated audio coverage of the relevant incident, Z Purton was charged with improper conduct under Rule 155(5), the improper conduct being that when approached by a member of the Club’s staff to proceed with more haste to the winning presentation following this race, he did use threatening language to the staff member. Z Purton pleaded guilty to the charge. After considering all the circumstance of this incident and Jockey Purton’s prior record in respect of conduct related offences, the Stewards felt it appropriate to fine him the sum of $100,000. When questioned, C Schofield stated that he had been asked to ride GENEROUS HEART positively in the early stages from a wide barrier and obtain a position behind the leaders with cover if possible. He said it was explained to him that GENEROUS HEART possesses early speed and had been ridden in a forward position in a recent barrier trial following its last start. He said in accordance with his instructions he rode GENEROUS HEART along and believed that an opportunity was presenting itself approaching the 1000 Metres to obtain a position with cover behind YOUNG EMPIRE. He said however that YOUNG EMPIRE did not improve forward as he had hoped and this allowed FULL GLAMOUR to improve its position inside GENEROUS HEART which resulted in GENEROUS HEART racing wide and without cover throughout the race. A veterinary inspection of GENEROUS HEART immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of PACKING STONES immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. LUCKY WAN FENG and FANTASTIC FEELING were sent for sampling.