We will investigate! NHA CEO Designate Denzil Pillay
A furore has erupted over the Flamingo Park winner that raced without a passport this past Monday. But the matter will be investigated by the National Horseracing Authority. This assurance was given by the CEO Designate of the National Horseracing Authority, Denzil Pillay yesterday.
Dynamic Dynasty, trained by Jaap Visser, was ridden to a fluent five length win in the second race, a Maiden Plate over 1800m. He had been backed from 33-1 to 9-1. His previous form on turf was diabolical and he had not earned in six previous runs.
It is a requirement that the National Horseracing Authority-issued passport accompanies a race-horse in training wherever he goes. The document records markings that assist in the identification of the animal and also serve as a veterinary record for legislated innoculations and related relevant issues.
We approached the National Horseracing Authority as we were puzzled as to why there was no mention made of the incident in the official Stipes Report and we are also alarmed at the potential abuse and implications of this apparent flagrant disregard for process. We also asked if it was an exception or the rule.
Denzil Pillay replied : ” I have discussed the issue relative to the Stipe’s report with Mr Dave Durant. He acknowledged that there was an omission on the Stipes report and advised that an addendum, advising that this horse was identified using the microchip and info on our database, would be inserted in the Stipes report.”
We asked Mr Pillay to comment on a post made on the www.africanbettingclan.com by a poster ‘New Turf 1’ on 7 November at 12h44:
In good faith I have just taken the passport of Dynamic Dynasty to the NHRA offices in Jhb. On handing it over to Mr Du Randt he accuses The Shams of illegal dealings and says “the Shams heads will roll”
New Turf does not fall under anything at NHRA. So we feel that by holding a passport to safeguard our interests we OK. The NHRA investigating officer is welcome to visit us at any time. Also since beginning training in 2009 , our mom Dorrie, has had nothing to do with New Turf
It appears that one of South Africa’s leading horse transporters, New Turf Carriers, were holding the passport of the horse following a failure on the responsible party’s side to pay the transport account.
Pillay said that the Central Provinces Stipendiary Board is currently investigating why the passport was not available/ in the possession of the trainer responsible for the welfare of the horse and therefore said he will not make any comment on the “new turf 1” statement.
We shall monitor the outcome of the investigation.
