21/11/2018  Happy Valley  Race 2

EXPONENTS was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (lame left fore). Before being allowed to race again, EXPONENTS will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ACTUARIAT (Z Purton) was slow to begin and then was hampered when crowded for room between CARRY TO WIN and JOYFUL FOREVER which shifted in after being bumped by SHOW MISSION. This resulted in ACTUARIAT racing back in the field. After the race, Z Purton was unable to offer any explanation for the performance of the horse which he described as disappointing. In the early stages, PADDINGTON was steadied to obtain cover. Near the 950 Metres, LAUGH OUT LOUD was steadied when crowded for room between PADDINGTON which initially shifted out and THE FULL BLOOM which was taken in by GREAT SON which got its head on the side and shifted in, despite the efforts of its rider. Passing the 300 Metres, JOYFUL FOREVER and GREAT SON bumped, causing both horses to become unbalanced. Throughout the race, GREAT SON travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, G van Niekerk stated that he was asked to position OTOUTO in as forward a position as possible having regard to the horse racing over 1000 Metres tonight. He said after beginning well he rode his mount vigorously in the early stages in order to comply with his instructions and have OTOUTO racing as close to the pace as possible. He said after travelling a short distance OTOUTO did not have the same speed as most other runners in the field despite being ridden along and therefore he commenced to shift the horse across to obtain cover as he was also instructed not to cover extra ground if possible. He added approaching the 600 Metres he was able to shift in to race behind PADDINGTON, however, as soon as he obtained this position, he then had to continue to ride OTOUTO along as the horse lost ground after the 600 Metres. He said despite continuing to ride OTOUTO along, the horse did not respond to his riding and finished off the race only fairly. G van Niekerk was also shown the video of the start of this race and warned against the practice of removing a hand away from the reins and placing it on the barrier partition to ensure that horses ridden by him are afforded the best possible start. A veterinary inspection of OTOUTO immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of SHOW MISSION immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained a small wound to the left hind fetlock. ACTUARIAT, OCEAN ROAR and CARRY TO WIN were sent for sampling.