Did Stipes Miss Apparent Crop Incident?

Philasande Mxoli has Silver Flare in control (Pic – JC Photos)

The Sporting Post has fielded enquiries from punters after the 13-10 favourite City Lights went missing from the exotics in the fourth race at Turffontein on Saturday.

The Fanie Bronkhorst-trained City Lights moved up inside the final 300m with what looked like plenty in the tank, but had nothing to come and was beaten into fourth.

Her rider Denis Schwarz, who did not appear to use his crop in the final stages, reported to the Stipes that his mount took a number of awkward strides in the concluding stages.

The Vet subsequently found nothing obviously amiss.

But what some of our readers felt is that City Lights appeared to be struck by winning rider Philasande Mxoli on Silver Flare, as he changed whip hands in the final stages.

It is after this action that City Lights appeared to give up the ghost.

Oddly enough, neither jockey Denis Schwarz nor the Stipes have reported it. Was it an optical illusion?

Did it make a difference?

Full marks in any event to trainer Tyrone Zackey and his loyal family and staunch owners Nadine and Kevin Backos, who have enjoyed decent success in recent months with second hand horses.

Silver Flare was purchased online out of Lucinda Woodruff’s yard after three dull runs, and ran a third and has now won for her new connections.

“She’s bred in the purple and will make a great broodmare. We must aim at 10 wins, maybe 12,” enthused her happy trainer.

The Stipes reported:

THE STARTER REPORTED:

1. a) GHOSTBUSTER (*T Mayhew) jumped outwards leaving the stalls, making contact with the left-side front gate.

THE STIPENDIARY STEWARDS REPORTED:

1. a) GHOSTBUSTER (*T Mayhew) and BASINGSTOKE (M K Katjedi) over-raced in the early stages.
2. b) Jockey D Schwarz reported that CITY LIGHTS took a number of awkward strides in the concluding stages. In view of this report, the Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine this filly.

Trainer F Bronkhorst was requested to report back to the Stipendiary Board on the condition of CITY LIGHTS on return to stables.

1. c) SILVER FLARE (P Mxoli), the winner, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis.

Trainer T Zackey advised (AH).

RACE CARD CHANGES / OTHER:

1. a) PASS THE BATON raced equipped with alumites (declared 8 August 2024 at 16H41).

THE VETERINARY SURGEON REPORTED:

1. a) CITY LIGHTS examined post race, nothing obvious detected.
2. b) BASINGSTOKE mouth injury.
3. c) SHES EVERYTHING cast its right front shoe in running.

SCRATCHED:

a) DESPINA cut on the left hind (Trainer) (Rule 53.5 applies).

DISQUALIFIED / DECLARED NON-RUNNER:

None.

OFFICIAL RESULT: