26/06/2019  Happy Valley  Race 3

Just prior to the start being effected, DREAM WARRIORS became fractious and then was slow to begin. From wide barriers, NITRO EXPRESS and RIGHTEOUS MATE were shifted across behind runners in the early stages. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, HERO TIME was momentarily steadied away from the heels of POLYMER LUCK (H N Wong) which shifted in when not quite clear. H N Wong was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he provides adequate clearance when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Near the 1200 Metres, CHARITY WINGS was left racing wide and without cover and was allowed to improve its position to race outside the lead near the 900 Metres. Passing the 600 Metres, RIGHTEOUS MATE was taken wider by HIGH REV which shifted to the outside of HERO TIME. RIGHTEOUS MATE and HIGH REV then bumped making the turn after the 600 Metres, causing both horses to become unbalanced. Near the 450 Metres, PLAY WISE and DREAM WARRIORS became unbalanced after bumping. Approaching the 200 Metres, LITTLE ISLAND was shifted to the outside of POLYMER LUCK. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of PLAY WISE, Z Purton stated that although he had to make some use of the horse to cross runners to his inside in the early stages, he was satisfied with the manner in which the horse relaxed in the middle stages after obtaining cover behind the lead. He said when DREAM WARRIORS commenced to improve around PLAY WISE near the 600 Metres, he elected to shift to the outside of CHARITY WINGS so as not to be pocketed behind that horse and inside DREAM WARRIORS. He said this resulted in PLAY WISE having to make a longer run than was desirable and he felt because of this the horse was then not able to finish off the race as PLAY WISE had previously shown that it struggles to sustain a long run. He said whilst he was aware of this, he did not believe PLAY WISE’s best interests would be served by being positioned behind CHARITY WINGS rounding the Home Turn. A veterinary inspection of PLAY WISE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, M F Poon stated that he was instructed to take up a forward position on MISTER MONTE, however, despite being vigorously ridden in the early stages MISTER MONTE did not show sufficient speed to be able to cross runners to its inside and therefore he elected approaching the winning post on the first occasion to shift across behind runners and obtain cover. He said MISTER MONTE travelled satisfactorily until the pace of the race slackened after the 900 Metres. He said MISTER MONTE commenced to travel keenly and passing the 800 Metres became unbalanced after having to be checked away from the heels of HIGH REV. He said after this MISTER MONTE did not travel comfortably and then did not finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of MISTER MONTE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of HERO TIME immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. PLAY WISE, THE JUDGE and HIGH REV were sent for sampling.