RACE 1 (103)

Began well, raced prominently, 2 wide, 1/2L back, same position on turn, hit the front 200M, kept on well to the line and scored.

Incident Report
Sent for sampling post-race.

Bumped shortly after start, raced 2 wide better than midfield early, found rail near 800M, saved ground on turn, unable to obtain clear run until final 50M, finished off well to take 2nd.

Incident Report
After the 150 Metres had some difficulty obtaining clear running when being shifted to the outside of WOODFIRE CHAMP and in this incident made slight contact with VERBIER. Sent for sampling post-race.

Crowded shortly after start, positioned 3 wide, a length or so back, 2 wide from 800M, 3 wide turning in, kept on well in straight to take a place without threatening.

Incident Report
Shortly after the start became unbalanced when crowded between E GLORY and PODIUM which shifted in and away from HERO STAR. Leaving the 1100 Metres was steadied to avoid HERO STAR (H Bowman) which shifted in when not quite clear. H Bowman was reprimanded. Brushed after the 150 Metres. Over the concluding stages lay in and away from PODIUM and was checked to avoid the heels of E GLORY which was racing tight to the outside of WOODFIRE CHAMP. Sent for sampling post-race.

Bumped shortly after start, raced 2 wide in midfield, angled out approaching 400M, very wide into straight, made some progress in the run home, not able to challenge.

Incident Report
Bumped shortly after the start and became unbalanced.

Taken back from a wide draw, raced at tail, 6 lengths or so back, same margin back on turn, made good progress in straight to be nearest on line.

Incident Report
From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Jumped with them, sent forward to take the lead, led by 1/2L turning in, peaked and headed 200M, weakened final 50M.

Incident Report
No report.

Out with rest, raced in midfield, 3 wide, carried wider approaching 400M, very wide into straight and lost place, finished off evenly.

Incident Report
Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

Moderately away from gate 1, raced in midfield on the inside, saved ground on turn, kept on same pace in straight. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
The Stewards issued a charge of careless riding against C Y Ho, the rider of WOODFIRE CHAMP, the particulars being that near the 1000 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in, crowding VERBIER in onto E GLORY, resulting in FALCON COURT having to be checked when unnecessarily crowded. Jockey Ho pleaded not guilty to the charge and made further submissions in respect of his not guilty plea. After considering those submissions, the Stewards did not sustain the charge issued against Jockey Ho when they could not be comfortably satisfied that he had shifted in to a position inside four wide at the relevant point. However, Jockey Ho was advised that in similar circumstances he should ensure that he provides sufficient racing room for runners to his inside.

Out in line, trapped very wide in midfield early, slightly taken back after passing 1000M, raced 3 wide with cover behind midfield in the middle stages, very wide turning in, made minor progress in straight.

Incident Report
No report.

Taken back from gate 9, raced behind midfield on the inside, angled out 350M, kept on same pace in straight.

Incident Report
From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Began awkwardly, taken back to race at rear, 5 lengths back turning in, unable to obtain clear run in straight. (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
When questioned regarding his riding, Z Purton stated that from the outside barrier he was asked if possible to take up a midfield position and that if circumstances permitted he was given the option of making an early move around the field. He said on jumping SPEEDY CHARIOT blundered, lost ground and as a result he elected to shift his mount across behind runners in the early stages which resulted in SPEEDY CHARIOT racing towards the rear of the field. He said along the Back Straight he shifted away from the rail to give him the opportunity of complying with his instructions to make a forward move around the field. He said from the 500 Metres he observed THE CONCENTRATION, which was racing wide and without cover, and SUPER EAGLE, which was positioned behind THE CONCENTRATION, under pressure and when he felt that those runners would be taken out by PODIUM, he elected to shift to the inside to secure clear running. He added after shifting to the inside, his initial intention was to obtain clear running to the inside of FALCON COURT, but when that runner shifted in slightly and he received a call from A Badel, the rider of WIND SPEEDER, he was unable to proceed into this run when there was insufficient room to do so. He said as a result he then attempted to obtain clear running between FALCON COURT and GORGEOUS VITALITY near the 250 Metres, however, when both those runners shifted ground, SPEEDY CHARIOT was then held up for the remainder of the Home Straight and could not be ridden out to the finish of the event. Trainer D J Whyte confirmed the instructions issued and initially expressed dissatisfaction with Jockey Purton’s decision not to shift to the outside as instructed. He added however after further considering the explanation of Jockey Purton, he could understand why he made such a decision to go back to the inside. After considering his explanation, the Stewards advised Jockey Purton that he had made an error of judgement by not continuing to the outside of SUPER EAGLE making the Home Turn to comply with his instructions and also to allow SPEEDY CHARIOT the opportunity to obtain clear and uninterrupted running in the Home Straight. However, the Stewards found that his riding was not culpable under the Rules having regard to the explanation he provided for shifting to the inside. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Taken back to race 2 wide behind midfield, wider 400M, failed to close off in straight. (Blood in trachea.) (See Racing Incidents.)

Incident Report
From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages. After the event, H Bentley could offer no explanation for his mount’s performance. A veterinary inspection immediately following the race which included an endoscopic examination showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse’s trachea. Before being allowed to race again, ALLOY KING will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.