The Stipes exercised some commendable discretion when affording veteran multiple champion jockey Piere Strydom the opportunity to get off one of his mounts at the start at Turffontein on Thursday.
Strydom was engaged to ride the 40-1 Bellevarde, who was returning from a 40 week break in the seventh race.
Craig Zackey – no fear! (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
The Stipes reported that the daughter of Master Of My Fate, who had some smart form prior to her break, proved difficult proceeding to the start and had to be led, riderless, by a Handler.
Upon his arrival at the start Strydom expressed his concern with the mare’s manners that she exhibited en-route to the start.
He stated that he was reluctant to ride her as he felt that his safety would be compromised if she showed the same racing manners during the event.
The Stewards considered whether they should afford Strydom the indulgence of him not fulfilling his engagement as he was bound to do in terms of the provisions of Rule 21.13 and ruled that he would not do justice to his commitments as a professional rider in the circumstances.
Consequently, they allowed Strydom to get off and the top-class, and much younger, Craig Zackey took over.
Here’s the replay – Bellevarde raced without incident – she is in the red silks:
Bellevarde finished 4,70 lengths off the winner Runway Bomb.
The Stipes reported that trainer Joey Soma will be advised that should this mare behave in a similar manner in future engagements, she may be suspended.
