I watched the Hollywoodbets Greyville first race on Sunday 10 November with interest since Andy Williams with whom I co own other horses, had a filly running named Empress Ella.
Yes, I backed her on a positive report on her chances in the race.
Len Bloch writes in the Sporting Post Mailbag that he was flabbergasted to see the amateurish attempt at loading her and the VERY QUICK decision taken to scratch her.
I immediately phoned Andy Williams to find out why she had been scratched.
Each horse has a loading story and this filly was clearly marked as to be loaded gently – this did not happen.
I have also discovered that the starter and loading officials have up to date and current betting movements which seems very strange.
If Empress Ella had been “SHORT” on the boards,I am pretty sure more care and attention would have been given to her loading.
I have watched thousands of races and have seen up to six plus handlers battle to get a short priced runner into the stalls no matter how long it might take.
My question ,as an owner, becomes,what the hell is happening in racing?
I was under the impression that ALL runners are treated with equal care and attention which seems not to be the case.
An additional point to ponder:
When a favourite is scratched just before the off,the norm seems to be to have a short delay to give punters the chance to restructure their bets but IT does not seem to apply to a horse backed in from about 8 to 1 to 5 to 1.
With the current perilous state of racing in South Africa,could this not be another string in the bow of putting potential new owners off the “game”?
The racing authorities seem to have forgotten that without OWNERS there is no racing.
I think the Stipes have the onus of replying to these problems.
The Stipes report:
The start of the 1st Race was delayed due to EMPRESS ELLA (S Randolph) refusing to load, CHANEL ALLURE (S Moodley) proving stubborn to load and TALIA AL GHUL (W Kennedy) being subject to a late veterinary check.
THE STARTER REPORTED:
- a) COLLATERAL BEAUTY (*J Solomons) refused to jump.
- b) CHANEL ALLURE (S Moodley) was stubborn to load.
- c) EMPRESS ELLA (S Randolph) refused to load. Withdrawn by the Starter.
THE STIPENDIARY STEWARDS REPORTED (TN) :
- a) COLLATERAL BEAUTY (*J Solomons) cantered down to the start fitted with ear muffs which were removed behind the stalls.
- b) Jockey K de Melo the rider of GLITTER AND GOLD reported that this filly was not striding out freely in running. The Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine this filly.
- c) Jockey S Veale the rider of ROSE DANCER dropped his crop at approximately the 200m.
- d) In view of the Starter’s Report concerning EMPRESS ELLA (S Randolph), CHANEL ALLURE (S Moodley) and COLLATERAL BEAUTY (*J Solomons) and in terms of Rule 61.6.10 the starting stall certificates for these fillies have been withdrawn and they are suspended for a period of 7 days and until they prove tractable in the starting stalls with a companion. Suspension dates : 11.11.2019 – 17.11.2019. EMPRESS ELLA, CHANEL ALLURE and COLLATERAL BEAUTY may not be presented for re-passing during this period. Trainers M Dixon, M Miller and M Roberts were respectively advised (DM).
- e) TALIA AL GHUL (W Kennedy) the winner, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis. Trainer P Gadsby advised (ML).
JOCKEY / EQUIPMENT CHANGES :
- a) ROSE MOON raced fitted with blinkers (advised 09h59/8.11.2019).
- b) EMPRESS ELLA raced with her tongue tied down (advised 07h20/10.11.2019).
THE VETERINARY SURGEON REPORTED
- a) GLITTER AND GOLD : Not striding out right fore.
- b) TORNADO ALLEY : Mouth injury. Withdrawn at the start.
SCRATCHINGS
- a) MOUILLE POINT : Injured right fore joint (Trainer – advised 09h09/7.112.2019). Rule 53.5 applies.
- b) TORNADO ALLEY : Examined at the start. Mouth injury. Withdrawn by the Veterinary Surgeon at 12h38 (NHA). 33/1 in the betting at the time of withdrawal. Rule 53.5 applies.
- c) EMPRESS ELLA : Refused to load. Withdrawn by the Starter at 12:41:05.
Ed – we have referred Mr Bloch’s letter to the NHRA for a comment.
