Did The Stipes Get It Right Or Wrong?

There has been much speculation and debate about Saturday’s Listed Hollywoodbets Settlers Trophy call by the Stipes to uphold Richard Fourie’s objection.

Watch the replay here:

The Sporting Post has been inundated with calls – did the Stipes do the right thing after Calvin Habib, who never touched the crop, came from last on Han Solo and brushed Somerset Maugham, but to still win going away?

Objecting rider of the runner-up, Richard Fourie transgressed the crop rules limit of 12 in front of a largely novice crowd but still came out on top. What message does that send – racing doesn’t care  about horses and its own rules?

Does that make sense? Are our Stipes intimidated by big names?

These are some of the questions being asked.

Please have your say via our comments platform.

Here is an excerpt of the official Stipes Report:

RACE 7: HOLLYWOODBETS SETTLERS TROPHY (Listed) : 2000m: Ref 72

Starter: Mr F Bosman               Loading time: 55 sec                   Runners: 8

THE STARTER REPORTED:

1. a) BARATHEON (JP van der Merwe) kicked the back gates of the starting stalls, caught his leg in the back gates, was taken out, examined by the course veterinary surgeon and withdrawn.

THE STIPENDIARY STEWARDS REPORTED:

1. a) The start of this race was delayed due to the late scratching of BARATHEON (JP van der Merwe) (Betting 3/1) and to allow the betting public an opportunity to restructure their bets.
2. b) At the 100m SOMERSET MAUGHAM (R Fourie) changed stride and became momentarily unbalanced when brushed inwards by HAN SOLO (C Habib), which was hanging in and shifted in. After being straightened HAN SOLO (C Habib) continued to shift in slightly and brushed SOMERSET MAUGHAM (R Fourie) shortly before the finish. Trainer SJ Snaith called a race review regarding this incident, which was followed by an Objection being lodged by Jockey R Fourie, the rider of the 2^nd placed horse SOMERSET MAUGHAM against the winner HAN SOLO (C Habib) on the grounds of interference in the latter stages.  The Objection Board, after giving due regard to the evidence put forward, reviewing the patrol films and giving consideration to the margin of 0,05 of a length between the two horses concerned, was of the opinion that but for the interference SOMERSET MAUGHAM would have finished ahead of HAN SOLO had this incident not occurred and therefore upheld the Objection.  Jockey Fourie’s deposit was refunded.
3. c) Jockey L Tarentaal reported that he felt something amiss with PACK LEADER and he did not persevere with his riding from the 300m. The veterinary surgeon was requested to examine this gelding.
4. d) In view of the report from the Starter regarding BARATHEON (JP van der Merwe), Trainer PAW Botha will be advised to have this gelding re-schooled before his next engagement in terms of Rule 61.6.10.
5. e) Jockey R Fourie was charged with a contravention of Rule 58.10.2 (read with Guideline M on the use of the crop) in that he misused his crop by striking SOMERSET MAUGHAM more than 12 times in the entire race. Jockey R Fourie signed an admission of guilt and was fined R2500,00. In determining penalty, the Board took into account the distance over and manner in which Jockey R Fourie used his crop, Jockey R Fourie’s recent record, the number of strikes (14) over the permissible level and the value of the race.
6. f) HAN SOLO, placed second on objection, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis. Trainer GS Kotzen was advised. (RS)
7. g) SOMERSET MAUGHAM, the winner on objection, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis. Trainer SJ Snaith was advised. (TJ)

JOCKEY AND/OR EQUIPMENT CHANGES:

1. a) L Tarentaal rode PACK LEADER (breach of riding engagement – declared 10h46 on 20220923)
2. b) G Wright (DUBAI LIGHTS) rode +0.5kg (52.9kgs)
3. c) C Habib (HAN SOLO) rode +0.5kg (54.4kgs)

RACE CARD CHANGES / OTHER

a)         Nil

THE VETERINARY SURGEON REPORTED:

1. a) BARATHEON – left hind leg injured in the stalls. Withdrawn
2. b) PACK LEADER – bilateral epistaxis. Suspended 60 days. Rule 93.1 applied

SCRATCHED:

53. a) TOP QUALITY – injured tendon. Rule 53.5 applies (declared 12h50 on 20220923)
54. b) BARATHEON – injured in the stalls. Rule 53.5 applies

PROVISIONAL RESULT – OBJECTION

AMENDED RESULT – OBJECTION UPHELD