05/12/2018  Happy Valley  Race 9

IMPERIAL GALLANTRY and PACKING DRAGON bumped at the start. A short distance after this, PACKING DRAGON and GIANT TURTLE bumped. After this, PACKING DRAGON, despite being vigorously ridden, failed to muster speed. From wide barriers, VICTORY BOYS and PIKACHU were shifted across behind runners shortly after the start. PACKING DRAGON lost its left front plate shortly after the start. After travelling a short distance, ROCKETEER was steadied away from the heels of GLORIOUS ARTIST (G van Niekerk) which shifted in when not quite clear. G van Niekerk was reprimanded. Passing the 1400 Metres, GLORIOUS ARTIST was left racing wide and without cover and after the 1200 Metres was allowed to improve to obtain a position closer to the rail. Passing the 500 Metres, VICTORY BOYS was awkwardly placed outside PEOPLE’S KNIGHT which shifted out marginally. Rounding the Home Turn, VICTORY BOYS was awkwardly placed outside the heels of GRAND CHANCELLOR which lay out when giving ground. Near the 250 Metres, SUPER CHIC was struck across the nose by the whip of Apprentice M F Poon (PACKING DRAGON). After the race, Z Purton was dislodged from VICTORY BOYS. When questioned, Z Purton stated that VICTORY BOYS did not travel as strongly as it had done in the past when ridden by him. He said at its most recent start VICTORY BOYS had pulled up distressed and he felt that this may have had some impact on the horse’s performance tonight. A veterinary inspection of VICTORY BOYS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. SUPER CHIC and RED WARRIOR were sent for sampling.