Grant Van Niekerk. Weight issues lead to a suspension.
The National Horseracing Authority have advised that at an Inquiry held in Cape Town on 17 January 2013, Jockey Grant van Niekerk was charged with a rule in regard to committing a negligent act with regard to weighing.
As the rider of THE WHICH DOCTOR, Van Niekerk was charged with a contravention of Rule 72.1.28, in that he committed a negligent act with regard to weighing, by removing a weight bag after weighing out and failed to include this weight bag in his equipment used when riding in Race 7 at Kenilworth Racecourse on 12 January 2013.
This led to the disqualification of THE WHICH DOCTOR from Race 7.
Mr van Niekerk pleaded guilty to the charge.
The Inquiry Board found Mr van Niekerk guilty and suspended him from riding in races for a period of twelve weeks, of which four weeks is wholly suspended for a period of one year, provided that he is not found guilty of contravening Rule 72.1.28 during the period of suspension.
Van Niekerk has the Right of Appeal against the penalty imposed.
