After a glorious summer season and three good winners on Sun Met day – including a Gr1 success – top jockey Richard Fourie was called in by the Stipes to explain his ride on beaten big race favourite, Do It Again.
The Justin Snaith-trained Do It Again is a horse who likes to be left alone and has a strong finishing burst. He was closer to last for much of the 2000m race and finished with a flourish to be beaten 0,75 lengths.
The pic angle is deceptive – but Richard Fourie can be seen urging Do It Again down the inside as Rainbow Bridge (Anton Marcus) bursts clear (Chase Liebenberg Photography)
In an awkward moment close to the finish, Fourie was forced to go inside of long-time leader Head Honcho.
This may have cost him marginally but it did not appear to affect the result with eventual winner Rainbow Bridge going too well.
The stipes report says:
Jockey R Fourie (DO IT AGAIN) appeared before the Board with regards to his ride on this gelding. He explained to the Board that the gelding had not travelled to his expectation in the early stages and having raced with cover he had to encourage DO IT AGAIN from the 600m, which was far earlier than he had expected. This had resulted in him entering the straight about four lengths off the eventual winner, which was more than he had envisaged. DO IT AGAIN had then proceeded to hang out in the straight when encouraged. His explanation was noted.
