An ambulance breakdown just prior to the running of the second race at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday was an unforeseen mechanical failure and was dealt with as quickly as reasonably possible.
That was the word from Gold Circle Racing Executive Raf Sheik, in response to a question from the Sporting Post after some readers criticized the incident.
“The ambulance was serviced very recently and worked perfectly for the first race. Unfortunately, for technical reasons not yet known to us, it overheated just prior to the second race, and we were obliged to call for a replacement in terms of our safety protocol,” said Sheik.
The Stipes report indicates that ‘upon arrival at the start, the on-course ambulance experienced mechanical difficulties and as a result a second ambulance had to be sourced. This caused a significant delay to the start of this race’. The Sporting Post notes a delay of 16 minutes.
Raf Sheik said that the procedure of the replacement of the ambulance was activated in the same manner as it would have, had there been a need to take an injured or ill person from the track to the local hospital.
Raf Sheik – no cause for alarm
“We are satisfied that the service provider’s record shows that a vehicle breakdown happens so seldom, that it does not justify the substantial extra cost of always having an extra standby vehicle on duty. We apologise to all stakeholders for the inconvenience, and thank those that assisted to ensure that the time was made up so that the last race of the day went off on time as carded,” added Sheik.
The next KZN racemeeting is at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday, when the SA Champions Season gets underway.
The first race is off at 11h15. There is a Pick 6 carryover on Saturday. The first leg is in Race 4 @ 12h55 and the carryover of R1 million is expected to generate a likely pool of R5 million.
