An historic dodgy patch at the 650m marker threw the Hollywoodbets Durbanville racemeeting into some disarray on Wednesday.
And after an agreement was reached that all riders would maintain a position to the outside of the track, one or two jockeys may just have breached the agreement.
After the running of the seventh Jockeys raised concerns regarding an area of the track at about the 650m and requested a panel be formed to conduct a track inspection, following which a decision was made by all present that all riders would maintain a position towards the outside of the track and avoid the area of concern in the best interest of safety of both horse and rider and the continuation of the race meeting.
The field kept to the outside and the middle of the course for the entire race.
Watch the replay of the ninth race here:
Following the running of the ninth race an inquiry was opened to establish if there were sufficient reasons surrounding Anthony Andrews and Shifting Path being positioned towards the inside of the racecourse during the latter part of the turn.
The Stipes suggested that this appeared to be contrary to the direction that was given to all Riders, to maintain a course towards the outside of the course for the duration of the turn.
This move was made to ensure that there was every opportunity to conclude the race meeting and to ensure that the normal standards of health and safety, horse welfare, and the integrity of racing, was maintained.
Grant van Niekerk, who rode the winner Yamadori, may also count himself a touch lucky for not being brought to book together with Andrews.
The Hollywoodbets Spring Country Racing Stars competition launched on Wednesday.
Members of South Africa’s racing media and past big winners are competing on the platform of the massively popular Hollywoodbets Punters’ Challenge.
The Racing Stars competition includes a team format, with 20 teams of 3 competing for cash prizes.
Cape-based form analyst Daryn Burroughs was the winner on the first day and walked away with the R500 prize,
Daryn also boosted his Betway Weighted To Win Team in the process to a first place in the team challenge. His team-mates Clyde Basel and Darryl Maree shared in a further prize of R750.
The top 5 individuals after day 1:
| Individual | ||||||
| Pos | Alias | Points | Wins | Places | Rank | |
| 1 | Daryn Burroughs | 130,41 | 4 | 3 | 178 | |
| 2 | Alistair Cohen | 125,08 | 4 | 3 | 255 | |
| 3 | Brendan Gaillard | 124,58 | 4 | 4 | 272 | |
| 4 | Lyall Cooper | 120,11 | 4 | 3 | 374 | |
| 5 | Danie Toerien | 118,57 | 3 | 4 | 435 | |
The competition continues for the duration of the Hollywoodbets Spring Country Series, with meetings scheduled for 16 September, 19 September, 23 September, 30 September, 7 October, 10 October and 14 October, and will culminate with big cash prizes for the overall top performers and winning teams.
Candice Bass-Robinson led the trainer standings, saddling four smart winners on a day where the form was always going to be dodgy, given the weather in recent weeks.
Winning Form jockey Raymond Danielson got the monkey off his back with his first two winners of the season.
He won on 50-1 Oriental Charm for Brett Crawford and then followed up on King Regent (5-2) for Glen Kotzen. King Regent, a son of Dynasty is bred for ground, but he somehow produces his best over the sprints.
King Regent storms clear under Raymond Danielson (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
On the fines front, JP van der Merwe and Kabelo Matsunyane were hit hard in the pocket after exceeding the 12 strike crop limit.
JP van der Merwe was charged with a contravention of Rule 58.10.2 (read with Guideline M on the use of the crop) in that as the rider of Sail The Sky in the first race, he misused his crop by striking the horse more than 12 times (14) which was not warranted when considering the circumstances of the race.
He signed an admission of guilt and was fined R4000.
Kabelo Matsunyane was charged with a contravention of Rule 58.10.2 (read with Guideline M on the use of the crop) in that as the rider of King Of Spin in the same race, he misused his crop by striking the horse more than 12 times (14) which was not warranted when considering the circumstances of the race.
Matsunyane signed an admission of guilt and was fined R6000.
The new wording of the crop fine clause – which was not warranted when considering the circumstances of the race – and which we felt implies a measure of discretion on the part of the Stipes, was explained to the Sporting Post by Racing Control Executive, Arnold Hyde.
“The wording merely confirms that the Stipes have applied their minds to the matter and that they are satisfied that there are no circumstances involved where for example, the horse has taken charge of the Rider and his/her actions are necessary to safeguard human and equine life and the integrity of the race,” confirmed Hyde.
The next Hollywoodbets Durbanville racemeeting is scheduled for Saturday. It’s raining right now and there is rain forecast for the next two days.
