An allegation doing the rounds that Jockey Bernard Fayd’herbe weighed in a kilo overweight following the previously undefeated Rainbow Bridge’s narrow defeat into fourth in the Green Point Stakes at Kenilworth on Saturday, and that a cover up had ensued, has been clarified by the National Horseracing Authority.
A Cape Mile file pic of Bernard Fayd’herbe and Rainbow Bridge (Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)
The Gr2 feature, a traditional trial for the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate on 5 January, was run in very slow time but, according to public opinion and many seasoned observers, produced one of the greatest feature race finishes seen in many decades.
The unbeaten Rainbow Bridge, favourite for the Sun Met before the Green Point, was beaten a neck into fourth place.
The Sporting Post was contacted on Sunday by various parties who suggested that Bernard Fayd’herbe had weighed in a kilo over.
The allegation also indicated that the Clerk Of Scales had apparently reported the matter to the Stipes who had then made a decision to ‘keep it out of the public domain’.
Fayd’herbe, a talented heavyweight rider, goes to scale at 58kgs according to the official SA Horseracing website.
We approached both Acting NHA CEO Arnold Hyde and Western Cape Chairman of Stipes, Ernie Rodrigues for a comment on the allegations.
“In terms of Rule 66.3.2 the clerk of scales will report weighing in weight which is more than 0.5 kg under(objection) or 1 kg over the weighed out weight. I checked the weight sheet after the race and Mr Fayd’Herbe weighed in in terms of the rules, a half kg overweight,” said Mr Rodrigues in response to our enquiry.
What the rules say:
66.3 The clerk of the scales shall:
66.3.1 in all cases weigh in the RIDERS of all HORSES who participated in the RACE and shall report to a STIPENDIARY STEWARD any RIDER not presenting himself to be weighed in or any irregularity with regard to weights carried;
66.3.2 check the weights of the RIDERS of all HORSES against their weighed out weights and refuse to pass as correct, the weight of any RIDER showing a difference of more than 0.5Kg under or 1Kg over the weighed out weight, unless the SB is satisfied that such excess of weight has been caused by exceptional and accidental circumstances or the SB is satisfied that the reason for the excess weight is due to replacement of equipment in terms of the rules.
