26/06/2019  Happy Valley  Race 1

CASIMIRO began awkwardly and then was crowded for room between GOUTEN OF GARO and DEMONS ROCK, both of which shifted ground. HARDLY SWEARS began only fairly and then was steadied away from the heels of CAO CAO which shifted out. AIOLOS shifted out at the start and bumped EPTIMUM which in turn shifted out, causing AURORA PEGASUS to be crowded for room inside TRAVEL DATUK. This resulted in AURORA PEGASUS losing ground and being shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Making the first turn near the 550 Metres, DEMONS ROCK got its head up when being checked away from the heels of CAO CAO. HARDLY SWEARS made the turn near the 550 Metres awkwardly, shifted out and bumped the hindquarters of GOUTEN OF GARO. Near the 350 Metres, DEMONS ROCK brushed the running rail when racing tight inside AIOLOS. Throughout the race TRAVEL DATUK travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, Z Purton stated that he was not given any specific instructions on how to ride AURORA PEGASUS, which was having its first start tonight, as it was dependent on the manner in which the horse began. He said after losing ground when crowded for room at the start, he shifted AURORA PEGASUS across behind runners to obtain cover. He said AURORA PEGASUS travelled very strongly in the early stages and it was not until near the 700 Metres that he was able to shift it across behind EPTIMUM. He said making the first turn after the 600 Metres AURORA PEGASUS, which was continuing to race keenly, got its head on the side and shifted out away from the heels of EPTIMUM and he commenced to ride his mount along to improve to the outside of that horse. He said AURORA PEGASUS lay out and again got its head on the side and made the Home Turn awkwardly. He added, having in mind the manner in which AURORA PEGASUS was unbalanced rounding the turns, he balanced the horse up in the early part of the Straight before placing it under pressure from the 300 Metres. He said AURORA PEGASUS then finished off the race satisfactorily over the latter stages. A veterinary inspection of AURORA PEGASUS immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. GENTLE BREEZE and VERY SWEET ORANGE were sent for sampling.