The perceived better middle to outside going up the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth summer straight course on L’Ormarins King’s Plate day had many of the riders gunning for a run out wide.
One caller to the Sporting Post offices even suggested that Bernard Fayd’herbe’s decision to bring longshot Al Muthana down the outside in the day’s feature had been the difference between Charles Dickens’ winning and losing.
Dean Diedericks – happy that the track is consistent
However Hollywoodbets Kenilworth’s veteran General Manager Dean Diedericks refuted suggestions that one side should be better than the other as treatment was consistent across the width and breadth of the course.
“We apply the same cultivational processes uniformly and consistently as a rule. Naturally , certain sections drain differently to others, but we deal with those independently. At the end of the day, none of them won hard up the outside and ultimately it is the individual jockey’s call, based on the direction and strength of the prevailing wind conditions amongst others, to place his mount in the position he deems best,” added Diedericks.
Future Swing (Richard Fourie) powers home in the ninth race (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Saturday’s rail configuration was 3m out from the 1800m mark with a 5m spur at the 600m.
“That gives everybody a fair chance, I believe. As an aside, it should also be remembered that our fields are also a lot bigger on average than they were. And my job is to provide the best quality racing surface possible, with the safety of horse and rider always our top priority” noted Diedericks.
Interestingly, after the running of the final leg of the R6,9 million Pick 6 , the Stipes addressed the riders who participated in this race following incidents recorded.
Watch the final 900m of the ninth race:
The jockeys were advised that in the opinion of the Stipes, the circumstances that prevailed in the home straight were as a result of the field making its run on the outside of the racecourse.
They were advised that in the opinion of the Stipes this did not make for competitive racing and that numerous horses were unable to be fully tested as a result of being in restricted galloping room which posed a risk to the safety of riders as well as the welfare of horses.
It was further put to the Riders that the circumstances that prevailed should not be repeated and that the Stewards would not hesitate to sustain a charge against any jockey who was the source or contribution to bunching of the field which makes for uncompetitive racing.
Particular incidents recorded in the ninth race:
- At the 300m, in a tightly bunched field with all riders electing to direct their mounts to the outside of the racecourse, BILLY SPELLBOUND (C Habib) was unable to secure a clear run, was switched inwards and then was held up and switched inwards again at the 100m when close to the heels of NEVADA KING (G van Niekerk).
- Leaving the 300m, while attempting to secure clear running between KAPUZINER (L Mxothwa) and AUS BOB (*RA Venniker), RUN FOR COVER (R Munger) was brushed outwards and made contact with AUS BOB (*RA Venniker).
- NEVADA KING (G van Niekerk) was awkwardly placed on the inside of FUTURE SWING (R Fourie) in the concluding stages.
