The suspension imposed on the impressive Hot Affair and some serious antics with the whip by the apprentices, which culminated in an unprecedented public expression of outrage by a Director of the National Horseracing Authority, were the dominant features of the Stipes Report following a rather tough Kenilworth meeting on Saturday.
The day’s bitter disappointment will undoubtedly be the imposition of a mandatory 90 day suspension on the brilliant Gr3 Kenilworth Fillies Nursery winner Hot Affair.
Mike Robinson’s smashing daughter of the exciting young sire Jay Peg returned suffering from an epistaxis due to an exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage and was suspended for a period of 90 days from racing in terms of Rule 93.1.
This will mean that we will only see her again as a 3yo.
The Stipes wielded the long stick with the apprentices though, with promising Xavier Carstens charged with a contravention of Rule 58.10.2, read with Guideline C, Appendix L, in that he misused his crop by hitting Disney Queen more than three times on consecutive strides in the concluding stages of the seventh race.
Carstens signed an admission of guilt and was fined R500.
The punishment was not without some irony though, as Carstens was the only rider in the race seemingly wide awake enough to monitor his colleague Girish Goomamy, who tried valiantly to steal the race from the front on the free striding Kind Lady.
Girish Goomany in the spotlight
Goomamy had earlier hit punters for a six in the opening leg of the Pick Six when he kept Riaan Van Reenen’s Knock ‘Em Out going to hold Maties Wildekat.
Despite the vigorous urgings of Goomamy, Carstens got Carl Burger’s Disney Queen up on the line to deny Kind Lady by a short head.
A great finish and two individually enthusiastic rides we thought.
The Stipes reported that Apprentice Goomany was advised that an Inquiry will be opened regarding the use of his crop in the concluding stages.
Goomamy may be wondering what sort of fair hearing he will get and whether he hasn’t already been tried and sentenced after the local NHA Director posted the following public comment on the African Betting Clan on Saturday:
“Disgusting use of the whip on Kind Lady….the apprentice hit her more than 30 times in the last 200m….there is an enquiry into this and I hope he gets a harsh sentence…no way to start off your career…”
While whip abuse, if it is indeed adjudged to be so in this case, is not condoned, Goomamy may well be feeling that he has already been tried and executed.
The actions of an NHA office bearer expressing a public opinion on disciplinary matters that are sub judice must surely be in question.
It may be argued as to where official capacity ends and private capacity begins, but the ABC forum is busier than an average racecourse on most days and remains a dynamic horseracing environment for free and hopefully, mostly fair speech.
Professional race riding is tough on the best of days and while some riders were going hell for leather, others were less animated.
Grant Van Niekerk asked to cool it with his whip
Apprentice Divan Neethling, who rode Pachinko in the first race, appeared before the Board and was reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts to the finish.
The more experienced Grant van Niekerk, who rode Dancing Judy in the last race, appeared before the Board and was advised against using his crop on a horse which is out of contention for a place in future.
It was also something of a puzzingly wretched afternoon for Joey Ramsden’s runners, judging from the comments on four of his individual runners below:
In the first race, Jockey B Fayd’herbe (DESTINY DRIVEN) reported that this gelding did not stride out freely in running. The Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine the gelding on its return to the unsaddling enclosure and submit a report.
In the second race, Jockey B Fayd’herbe (VICTIM OF LOVE) reported that this filly did not stride out freely in running. The Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine the filly on her return to the unsaddling enclosure and submit a report.
In the feature, Jockey B Fayd’herbe (BLACK CHROME) reported that this filly did not stride out freely in running, and as a result did not persevere with his riding over the final 300m. The Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine the filly on her return to the unsaddling enclosure and submit a report.
In the seventh race, Jockey G Cheyne (PRINCESS SALME) reported that this filly choked up in running. The Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine the filly on her return to the unsaddling enclosure and submit a report.
