The Stipendiary Stewards had another busy day at the Hollywoodbets Greyville office on Saturday with everything from badly mannered horses to ‘frivolous’ objections keeping them busy.
In the third race Lyle Hewitson appeared before the Board and was questioned regarding the non-vigorous nature of his ride on eventual runner-up, POINT OF SALE, between the 400m and 250m.
In this regard, he explained to the Board that, this filly had a short run in and in the past, had run her best races when racing with cover and being produced as late as possible.
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Consequently, Hewitson’s instructions were to hold this filly up for as long as possible and allow her to finish her race off strongly.
Trainer Glen Kotzen appeared before the Board with regard to this matter and confirmed the above instructions.
Hewitson and Kotzen were advised that when such tactics are adopted, these instructions must be reported to the Board prior to the race in question.
In the Lonsdale Stirrup Cup, between the 400 and 250m, SILVER HOST (R Fourie) was brushed out on at least 2 occasions by stablemate BAYBERRY (S Khumalo) which rolled out.
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Trainer Justin Snaith was advised that the racing manners of BAYBERRY are unacceptable and that he must take all reasonable measures to ensure that this horse does not shift ground in races.
In the concluding stages of the same race, SILVER HOST (R Fourie) was momentarily inconvenienced when awkwardly placed on the inside of MATTERHORN (S Moodley) which was hanging in from the 250m.
In a process which is becoming more of a regular feature, all of the contestants in the Gr1 Woolavington 2000 and the Daily News 2000 were presented for the taking of pre-race blood samples for analysis, which are not limited to CO2 testing.
In the Woolavington, SCENTED MISTRESS (L Ferraris) and PRINCESS CALLA (G van Niekerk) showed a tendency to over-race in the early and middle stages, in a slowly run race.
At the 350m, SCENTED MISTRESS (L Ferraris) was brushed out by PRINCESS CALLA (G van Niekerk) which had improved from its rearward position.
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Thereafter, at the 200m, NETTA (W Kennedy) was carried in and subsequently had to check to avoid the heels of PRINCESS CALLA (G Van Niekerk) which shifted in. An Inquiry will be opened into this incident.
Warren Kennedy reported that he felt something amiss with NETTA in the running. The Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine.
In the Gr1 Daily News 2000, Jockey Sean Veale signed an admission of guilt for a contravention of Rule 58.10.2, read in conjunction with Guideline M, in that he misused his crop by striking the horse RASCALLION more than 12 times in the entire race.
In assessing a suitable penalty, the Board considered the number of times (14) Jockey S Veale struck his mount, the distance over which and manner in which, he used his crop, the fact that this was a Gr1 race and his record (2) in relation to this Rule. Accordingly, a penalty of R3000 was imposed.
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Jockey Sihle Cele signed an admission of guilt for a contravention of Rule 58.10.2, read in conjunction with Guideline M, in that he misused his crop by striking the horse KOMMETDIEDING more than 12 times in the entire race.
In assessing a penalty, the Board considered the number of times (13) Jockey Cele struck the horse KOMMETDIEDING, the distance over which and manner in which, he used his crop, the fact that this was a Gr1 race and his record (0) in relation to this Rule. Accordingly, a penalty of R1000 was imposed.
Leaving the 300m in the eighth race, FIGHT SONG (S Cele) was carried out by LOVE THE VIEW (L Hewitson) which shifted out away from the crop sharply.
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Thereafter, FIGHT SONG (S Cele) was baulked for a clear run between the 250m and 200m, switched in to continue its run approaching the 150m and finished its race off strongly.
Jockey R Fourie reported that he felt something amiss with VISTA NOVA in the running. The Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine.
In view of the performances of PRINCE OF TARANTO (S Randolph) (3.20 lengths, 5/1 in the betting) and DRUNKEN SAILOR (L Ferraris) (9.50 lengths, 20/1 in the betting) the Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine.
An Inquiry will be opened to establish why GENTLEMAN’S WAY (M Yeni), MR GONZALES (*J Jacobs), LOVE THE VIEW (L Hewitson) and DRUNKEN SAILOR (L Ferraris) had to ease at the 1200m.
