01/10/2012  Shatin  Race 8

SPIRIT SOARING was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore). Before being allowed to race again, SPIRIT SOARING will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. From the outside barrier, FREE JUDGEMENT was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. Z Purton (WRATH OF FIRE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that passing the 1200 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of REAL GENEROUS (W M Lai), resulting in that horse being taken in onto HOLY MAC which as a result was badly crowded for room and in turn taken in across the rightful running of EAGLE SPIRIT which was hampered and lost the running to which it was rightfully entitled. SHIFACHI TRADITION, which was following EAGLE SPIRIT, was severely checked and HEAR THE ROAR, which was following SHIFACHI TRADITION, was also hampered in consequence. Z Purton was suspended from riding in races for a period to expire on Monday, 15 October 2012 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of the suspension was deferred until after the Sha Tin racemeeting on Saturday, 6 October 2012. Z Purton pleaded guilty to a charge of misconduct under Rule 155(5) in that he directed inappropriate comments to Jockey W M Lai after leaving the Inquiry Room following an inquiry conducted between Races 8 and 9. For this breach, Z Purton was fined the sum of $20,000. In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into consideration the subsequent contrition shown by Jockey Purton relative to this matter. The Stewards opened an inquiry into Z Purton’s riding of WRATH OF FIRE, particularly in the early stages. Z Purton stated that he was given alternate sets of instructions, namely that if WRATH OF FIRE did not begin well, he could take it across behind runners and obtain a position with cover towards the rear of the field. He said however that it was explained to him that the horse had been successful when ridden by G Mossé earlier this year when the horse was able to obtain cover behind the speed. He said he had been instructed if he was able to obtain cover, it was acceptable for him to take up a position more forward than is usual. He said that WRATH OF FIRE began very well and jumped in front of those runners drawn immediately to his inside, namely SUNSHINE DAY, SHIFACHI TRADITION and HEAR THE ROAR. He said having in mind the manner in which WRATH OF FIRE began, he believed that it was in the horse’s best interests for it to take up a forward position and he immediately attempted to obtain a position with cover behind the leaders if possible. He said however that because of the tempo of the race in the early stages and the make-up of the field, he was not able to obtain a position with cover and he felt that it was not available to him to then restrain his mount given the forward position that the had put itself in by virtue of the manner in which it began. He added that he continued to attempt to obtain cover on WRATH OF FIRE in the early stages, however, he accepted, after the 1600 Metres, that that scenario would not eventuate and therefore he elected to allow WRATH OF FIRE to stride forward but did so without placing undue pressure on it. He stated that when racing without cover, the horse wanted to over-race and because of this weakened in the Straight. Trainer D Cruz confirmed that his initial instructions had been for Jockey Purton to ride the horse behind midfield, similarly to how he rode the horse when it was successful at its last start of the previous season. He acknowledged however that he did advise Jockey Purton that the horse had previously raced successfully when ridden in a forward position and that it was also available to him to ride the horse in a similar manner, however, he must attempt to obtain cover if possible as he did not believe that it would be able to finish off the race if it were not able to obtain cover. Mr Cruz added that whilst he was accepting of Jockey Purton’s reasons for going forward in the early stages, he felt that it would have been best once Jockey Purton was aware that he was not able to obtain cover for the horse to be steadied with a view to taking up a position behind runners. The Stewards advised Jockey Purton that they accepted that he had been given alternate sets of instructions and the manner in which WRATH OF FIRE began had been instrumental in his decision to allow the horse to obtain a forward position, however, he was also advised that he should keep his mind open when presented with alternate sets of instructions so as to ensure that wherever possible horses are ridden to fulfil the wishes of connections. A veterinary inspection of WRATH OF FIRE and SUNSHINE DAY after the race did not show any significant findings. REAL GENEROUS and HEAR THE ROAR were sent for sampling.