29/01/2020  Happy Valley  Race 9

At declaration time, C Y Ho was declared as the rider of both GENEROUS CHARITY and HIGH REV. It was established that C Y Ho had a firm commitment to ride HIGH REV. As such, the Stewards permitted N Callan to be substituted as the rider of GENEROUS CHARITY. For this declaration error, C Y Ho was fined $2,000. HELLO DADDY shifted in at the start and bumped RELIABLE TEAM. GENEROUS CHARITY shifted out at the start and bumped HIGH REV, resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced. After this, both GENEROUS CHARITY and HIGH REV were shifted across behind runners to obtain cover. From wide barriers, HAPPY DRAGON and DANCES WITH DRAGON were also shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After being crossed by EASY GO EASY WIN near the 1400 Metres, RED DESERT commenced to travel very keenly and got its head up for some distance when awkwardly placed behind that horse. Passing the 1400 Metres, GREEN LUCK was left racing wide and without cover and after the 1200 Metres was allowed to improve its position to race outside the lead near the 900 Metres. At the entrance to the Straight, HIGH REV was shifted in away from the heels of HELLO DADDY. When questioned regarding his riding of NOT USUAL TALENT after the 500 Metres, Z Purton stated that he was in two minds as to whether to shift to the outside of HELLO DADDY which came under pressure. He said he was aware that NOT USUAL TALENT did not finish off the race at its last start after commencing its run near the 500 Metres and therefore he elected to remain racing behind HELLO DADDY until near the 400 Metres as he felt that this would provide the horse with the best opportunity to finish off the race. He said that after shifting NOT USUAL TALENT to the outside of HELLO DADDY, his mount quickened well and after placing the horse under pressure in the Straight did not feel it was necessary to use the whip in the forehand manner as NOT USUAL TALENT was responding well to his riding and he was not of the opinion that it would finish off the race better than it was. Z Purton will be advised that his explanation was reported, however, he must ride his mounts with sufficient vigour to ensure that his riding is not open to query. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY DRAGON and RED DESERT immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of GENEROUS CHARITY immediately following the race did not show any significant findings, however, the horse was unable to be scoped due to being fractious. HARMONY HERO and RELIABLE TEAM were sent for sampling.