This week’s Sporting Post Sprint cover star Calvin Habib returned to riding with full card of engagements at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday after serving a seven day suspension for the Main Defender- Melech incident at Turffontein on 15 February.
Habib was suspended from 3 March to 9 March after being found guilty a contravention of rule 62.2.7.
It was contended that as the rider of Main Defender he failed to ensure that he did not cause interference to eventual winner Melech when he shifted in, in the concluding stages.
The near accident had looked horrific from the stands, as Main Defender stepped awkwardly, yet bravely ecovered to stay on for third.
Main Defender (Habib) chases in third as Gavin Lerena and Melech and Quantum Theory (Schwarz) have his measure (Pic – JC Photos)
Winning rider Gavin Lerena had said Habib’s move in the closing stages on Main Defender was ‘unecessary’, and suggested that his colleague had changed his stick hands and ridden for him.
See the replay here, if you missed it.
Tony Peter’s 3yo subsequently bounced back admirably with a career peak success on Classic Day, when winning the Wilgerbosdrift Gr1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes.
- Hollywoodbets Greyville racing starts at 12h30 today.
