The Turffontein Stipes boardroom was a hive of activity on a busy Champions Day on Saturday.
Muzi Yeni and Grant van Niekerk each won a Gr1 on the day, but both could be in hot water.
Big winning trainer Joey Soma and jockey Gavin Lerena also received their rap across the knuckles
Van Niekerk won the 4Racing Computaform Sprint on the smashing Snaith raider Rio Querari.
But en route to the winning line he caused a bit of commotion. An Inquiry will be opened to establish why Anna Capri had to check at the 300m, the reasons for Vernichey having to steady at the 200m, and why Bohica was brushed leaving the 200m.
Grant van Niekerk and Gr1 Computaform Sprint winner Rio Querari (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Soma and Lerena appeared before the Board and were spoken to regarding the quality of their evidence and their conduct before, during and after the objection proceedings of the 4Racing Gr1 Premier’ Champions Challenge.
Is there no leeway allowed for adrenline charged emotion?
And Lerena’s finger pointing at Yeni at the pull-up was the sign of things to come a few moments late as the objection drama unfolded.
The Stipes reported that approaching the 1600m, Lerena’s mount Second Base had to check to avoid the heels of Yeni and Got The Greenlight. Thereafter Johnny Hero was bumped in and became unbalanced, and Barahin had to be steadied as a consequence.
Eventually running second on the aptly named Second Base, Lerena lodged an objection against Got The Greenlight on the grounds of interference at about the 1600m.
The Objection Board, after considering the evidence that was put forward by both connections, was of the opinion that as this incident occurred at the 1600m, that there was sufficient opportunity for Second Base to overcome any prejudice suffered and that it could not be certain to the requisite degree that he would have finished ahead of the winner had this incident not occurred.
In view of this, the objection was overruled and Lerena’s deposit was refunded.
An Inquiry will be opened regarding this incident.
As an aside, the fancied Malmoos hung in from the 400m. In view of his performance (betting 5/4, distance 6,50 lengths), the Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine this colt. Assistant Trainer A Ndzilana was requested to report back to the Board on the condition of this colt on return to stables.Nothing was found in the end.
Simanga Khumalo did not escape the Stipes attention and was charged with a contravention of Rule 58.10.2 (read with Guideline M on the use of the crop) in that he misused his crop by striking the smart winner Sheela more than twelve times in the 4Racing Gr2 SA Nursery. He signed an Admission of Guilt and was fined R2000.
Sheela – Bling exceeded crop use limit (Pic – JC Photos)
When assessing the penalty, the Board took into consideration the number of times (13), the status of the race, the fact that he won the race and his recent record with regard to this Rule and Guideline.
More objection drama was to follow after the Gr1 feature and in the 4Racing Gr3 Gold Bowl, punters had to sit on the edge of their seats again.
At the 200m, Smoking Hot was hanging out and was bumped by winner Don’t Look Back, which shifted in away from the Khumalo crop. After the incident, Smoking Hot was carried in marginally by Don’t Look Back, which shifted in slightly.
Smoking Hot’s jockey Warren Kennedy accompanied by trainer Candice Dawson called a race review regarding this incident which was followed by an objection being lodged by Kennedy against the winner on the grounds of interference and intimidation in the closing stages.
The new 4Racing signage – looked red and blue on Tellytrack – but it’s pink and blue (Pic – JC Photos)
The Objection Board, after giving due regard to the evidence put forward, reviewing the patrol films and giving consideration of the margin of 0,6 of a length between the two horses concerned, was of the opinion that they could not be satisfied to the requisite degree that the runner-up would have finished ahead of the winner had this incident not occurred and therefore overruled the Objection. Jockey Kennedy’s deposit was refunded.
Khumalo appeared before the Board and was advised that his mount gave every indication that it was going to shift ground towards the inside, and that he is required to take all measures to keep his mounts on a straight course in future.
In the same race, it was advised that an inquiry will be opened into the riding of Muzi Yeni on African Adventure in the closing stages of this race. Yeni reported that his mount did not stride out freely in running. The Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine this gelding and trainer Joey Soma was requested to report back to the Board on the condition of his charge on return to stables.
