A vague comment in the Stipes Report is the only official reaction from racing authorities following the sensational allegations of the wrong horse having won the first race at Kenilworth on Wednesday.
The Sporting Post was informed yesterday by a reliable source that Magic Feet, the long priced winner of the first race, had been subjected to an objection and possible disqualification after being found to probably have been a different horse.
Magic Feet, who was slow away and flew late to down the odds on favourite, is trained by Milnerton conditioner, Darryl Hodgson.
There has been an outcry from the public, and particularly from the backers of the odds on favourite.
There is no known legal precedent in South Africa for any compensatory action in the case where negligence on the part of the racing authorities may be proven to have resulted in a loss to punters.
The official Stipes report states the following:
The Horse Identifier, Miss Nasiphi Sankahla, who was relieved of her duties after the 1st Race, by Miss Phumla Peter, checked the Identity Documents of all the horses engaged for today’s race meeting. With the exception of MAGIC FEET, in the 1st Race, (whose identity is the subject of an Objection), the markings of the runners were found to correspond with their passports. AHS and Equine Influenza vaccinations confirmed as per normal procedure.
An Objection has been lodged by a Member of the Stipendiary Board against MAGIC FEET being declared the winner of the 1st Race.
The ambiguity of this statement does nothing to quell the rumour and speculation mill.
We can only wonder when the error was picked up and why nothing was done immediately?
Why was Miss Sankahla suspended after the first race?
While the matter remains sub judice, the response from the racing authorities has been non existent.
And in typically denialist fashion, nothing has been said on Tellytrack in the close on 24 hours since the news broke.
Surely a brief statement to punters, with an outline of the known facts and whatever action is going to be taken, is the correct course of action to take?
Silence is a snub to loyal customers who keep the industry going and only serves to fuel the wheels of speculation. One only needs to visit the vigorous debate on the www.africanbettingclan.com forum to see evidence of that.
Leading bookmakers Hollywood, in typically innovative and customer friendly style, have come out in support of their supporters and issued the following statement:
Due to the controversy surrounding the identity of the winner ‘’Magic Feet’’ and the possible disqualification, HOLLYWOOD have decided as a gesture of good will to their punters and in the spirit of fair play to refund the stakes on straight win bets struck on the 2nd placed horse ABYSSINIA . Account holders will be credited and cash punters in possession of their tickets can go to their nearest HOLLYWOOD branch for their refund.
