10/02/2021  Happy Valley  Race 8

MOST WELCOME was withdrawn on 9.2.21 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame right fore). Before being allowed to race again, MOST WELCOME will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. STRIVE FOR GLORY was crowded for room on jumping between MOMENTUM GALAXY and SAUL’S SPECIAL which shifted in. MOMENTUM GALAXY was then crowded for room shortly after the start between SAUL’S SPECIAL which continued to shift in and KURPANY which shifted out. From the outside barrier, NORDIC WELLSTAR was steadied and shifted across behind runners in the early stages. For some distance in the early stages, SUPER POWER MAN got its head on the side and lay in. Passing the 700 Metres, HAPPY GOOD GUYS was steadied away from the heels of ORION PATCH (M L Yeung) which shifted in when not quite clear. M L Yeung will be advised to ensure that he is properly clear when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, SUPER POWER MAN shifted in away from HAPPY GOOD GUYS and bumped the hindquarters of FLYING GENIUS, causing SUPER POWER MAN to lose ground when unable to maintain its position between FLYING GENIUS and HAPPY GOOD GUYS which was racing tight inside GENTLE BREEZE which got its head on the side and lay in despite the efforts of its rider. Passing the 150 Metres, NORDIC WELLSTAR was directed to the outside of MOMENTUM GALAXY to obtain clear running. Passing the 100 Metres, MOMENTUM GALAXY was shifted out away from the heels of FLYING GENIUS to continue improving. Throughout the race, GENTLE BREEZE travelled wide and without cover. When questioned regarding his riding of STRIVE FOR GLORY, Z Purton stated that he was instructed to have the horse travelling where it was comfortable. He said after being crowded for room on jumping, he shifted STRIVE FOR GLORY across behind runners in the early stages and approaching the 800 Metres the horse got its head up when momentarily awkwardly placed behind HAPPY GOOD GUYS. He said after this STRIVE FOR GLORY travelled keenly and near the 550 Metres was hampered when SUPER POWER MAN was not able to maintain its position. He said after this he followed SUPER POWER MAN and elected not to shift to that horse’s outside after the 400 Metres as SUPER POWER MAN had come under pressure and appeared as though it was shifting out. He said at the entrance to the Straight a run became available between NORDIC WELLSTAR and SUPER POWER MAN and he immediately rode STRIVE FOR GLORY to improve into this run. He said after the 300 Metres STRIVE FOR GLORY was awkwardly placed outside the heels of NORDIC WELLSTAR as that horse commenced to shift out and therefore he elected to direct STRIVE FOR GLORY to the inside of NORDIC WELLSTAR passing the 200 Metres to obtain clear running. He added he placed STRIVE FOR GLORY under pressure and rode the horse out and STRIVE FOR GLORY then finished off the race well. Z Purton was advised that, in the opinion of the Stewards, his decision not to shift to the outside of SUPER POWER MAN rounding the Home Turn was reasonable and that it was also reasonable for him to endeavour to improve into running which was available between NORDIC WELLSTAR and SUPER POWER MAN in the early part of the Straight. He was however told to ensure that after obtaining clear running, he places his mounts in full pressure so that his riding is not open to query. A veterinary inspection of STRIVE FOR GLORY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. KURPANY and FLYING GENIUS were sent for sampling.