The Pic of the third race as supplied by the NHA
The consternation and uncertainty surrounding the minor places photo finish that saw a tote favourite relegated to an earth shattering fourth place finish for Place Accumulator players, has been commendably promptly clarified by the National Horseracing Authority.
The third race at Kenilworth on Wednesday had the tote favourite Vogue Idea (17) placed fourth behind the less fancied Triple Rhyme(7).
The Tellytrack picture indicated to many observers, including the veteran eagle eyed Cape race caller Rouvaun Smit and studio presenter Shaheen Shaw, that the favourite had in fact appeared to run third. Neither was publically categorical, though.
A flurry of tweets, emails and calls followed from frustrated and angry punters to the Sporting Post. They felt that they had been done in by the Kenilworth Judge.
An investigation has in fact shown the Judge to have been spot on.
Ernie Rodrigues
Chairman of The Cape Stipes Ernie Rodrigues responded to our official enquiry of a few hours ago.
“I have been up to the judges box to re-check the photo finish of this race, concentrating on the picture concerning the 3rd and 4th position.
I have attached the judges photo finish picture with lines. These lines are placed on each horses’ nose to determine any discernable difference between these two horses as they cross the line.
You will notice in this picture that they are two lines which show a discernable difference between TRIPLE RHYME (Jooste colours – emerald green, yellow stars, black sleeves and cap) placed 3RD by the judge and VOGUE IDEA (Plattner – grass green,indigo horseshoe, gold trim, indigo collar, sleeves and cap, grass green cuffs and peak) placed 4TH.
The enlarged display on the right hand side of the picture shows the front line(right line) to be touching the nose of Triple Rhyme in the Jooste colours. The second line (left line) is placed on the nose of Vogue Idea in the Plattner colours.”
Thank you Ernie.
A lightning quick response, disclosure of the facts and a happy customer.
Life goes on and we live to soldier on another day.
