The favourite loading in the wrong stall got the Fairview polytrack meeting off to a shaky start on Friday.
Give Me Dynamite was carded to be drawn 6 of the 7 runners in the first race but was taken into the wrong stall (7) by jockey Greg Cheyne and nobody seemed to notice.
Keanen Steyn, who was drawn 7 of the 7, jumped from the 6 draw on Tarique.
The 37-20 favourite, Give Me Dynamite ran fourth and 6,75 lengths off the winner Zabivaka, with Tarique another 2,75 lengths behind.
The very same thing happened at the same venue on 25 February this year when Omaha Tribe jumped from draw 9 despite being drawn 8 and, Okavango Delta jumped from draw 8, despite being drawn 9, in the fifth race (ref:353).
According to the official Stipes report of that day, Mr D Moodley was Race Day Chairman, with Messrs S Parker (Chief Stipendiary Steward (KZN)) and Mr M Jones in support. The starter was Mr Mr D Kempthorne.
Nobody had noticed.
The Sporting Post drew that incident to attention of the National Horseracing Authority more than a week after the meeting and were told that the matter would be investigated. We have heard nothing further.
Now today’s error happens – who was on duty? Should the race have been declared null and void? The incident, after all, involved the favourite.
And when errors repeat themselves, it means that the checks and balances were not rectified the first time.
Teaque Gould drives Lord Windermere out to beat Streak Of Silver (Charles Ndlovu) in the feature (Pic – Pauline Herman Photography)
The afternoon’s feature, the R110 000 East Cape Poly Challenge, was won by the Drakenstein Stud bred Trippi gelding Lord Windermere, who charged home at 6-1 to win his first try at a mile by 0,75 lengths in a time of 95,69 secs.
A R1,2 million National Yearling Sale purchase, Lord Windermere has won 5 races with 13 places from 26 starts for stakes of R376 850.
Alan Greeff saddled Lord Windermere – one of three winners for the champion yard for the day.
Teaque Gould rode a good race and rounded off a 378 – 1 double when Mega Scene won the next.
