14/04/2013  Happy Valley  Race 6

On Friday, 12 April 2013, Jockey Z Purton advised the Stewards that he would be unable to ride KING’S PACT due to being overweight. R Fourie was substituted. Having regard to the circumstances of this case, the Stewards accepted Jockey Purton’s explanation for not being able to fulfil his engagement on KING’S PACT and no further action was taken. As the start was effected, TRAVEL BRAND lifted its front feet off the ground and consequently was slow to begin. Passing the winning post on the first occasion, DRAGON FIGHTER was bumped by BLAZING SPEED which in turn shifted in after being bumped by KING’S PACT. R Fourie was severely reprimanded and advised that he must show more care than he did on this occasion. Passing the 1200 Metres, NOBLE DELUXE got its head up on a number of occasions when travelling keenly and awkwardly placed close to the heels of FLEET COMMAND. After being ridden along in an attempt to prevent KING’S PACT from shifting in near the 1000 Metres, KING’S FOLKS was awkwardly placed close to the heels of that horse approaching the 900 Metres. TRUMP, which was following, was hampered in consequence. Near the 900 Metres, DRAGON FIGHTER was left racing wide and without cover. After the 500 Metres, NOBLE DELUXE (T H So) was bumped and taken wider by TRUMP which shifted to the inside of DRAGON FIGHTER to improve its position. T H So reported that after being bumped by TRUMP, NOBLE DELUXE came off the bridle and took some time to get rebalanced despite being ridden along. He said after becoming rebalanced, NOBLE DELUXE then finished off the race strongly. At the entrance to the Straight, RIDE WITH THE WIND was shifted to the inside of ELEGANCE KLAMMER to obtain clear running. From between the 200 Metres until passing the 100 Metres, RIDE WITH THE WIND was then unable to obtain clear running. KING’S FOLKS was unable to obtain clear running until passing the 200 Metres when racing behind SUPREME FALCON and inside KING’S PACT, both of which were giving ground. TRAVEL BRAND, which was following and had been held up for clear running in the early part of the Straight, was shifted out to avoid the heels of KING’S FOLKS as a consequence. TRAVEL BRAND then became unbalanced when buffeted for room as it attempted to obtain a tight run between DRAGON FIGHTER and KING’S PACT. In this incident, DRAGON FIGHTER also became unbalanced. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SUPREME FALCON, W C Marwing stated that after travelling well in a position behind the leaders throughout the race, SUPREME FALCON was disappointing in the manner in which it weakened out of the race in the Straight after being shifted into clear running rounding the Home Turn. He said, in his opinion, SUPREME FALCON lacks maturity at this stage of its racing career to be racing over the distance of 1650 Metres and for this reason he discussed with Mr J Moore, the trainer of the horse, to consider dropping it back in distance in its future starts. A veterinary inspection of SUPREME FALCON immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of DRAGON FIGHTER immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. BLAZING SPEED and NOBLE DELUXE were sent for sampling.