The introduction of the new twelve strike rule under Guideline M on Friday 10 May for the use of the crop resulted in six sanctions in the first three days.
Craig Zackey steers Special Blend to victory (Pic – Gold Circle)
One of the offending riders, Craig Zackey, who actually won the last race on the 50-1 Special Blend at Scottsville on Sunday, signed an admission of guilt for a contravention of Rule 58.10.2 in that he used his crop more than 12 times in the entire race. He was fined R1000.
The NHA have not indicated any leeway during the trial period and have advised that the general use of the crop will be monitored until 31 May 2019.
Until this time, the limit of `12 crop strikes will apply. However, the definition of a strike during this period id when the crop makes contact contact with the horse and the rider’s hands are not on the reins – thus a slap, smack or tap on the shoulder will not count as a strike.
Here is a clip of the race – is it a simple matter of counting the strikes? How many did you count? Let us know via the comments section.
Four of the suspensions occurred at the Turffontein workriders meeting on Saturday with L Kamoli suspended from riding in two work riders’ races, while P Mongqawa signed an Admission of Guilt for a contravention of Rule 58.10.2 (read with Guideline M on the use of the crop) in that he hit the horse Saint Michael more than 12 times in the entire race. He was suspended from riding in one work riders’ race.
Work rider V Sithetho also signed an Admission of Guilt for a contravention of Rule 58.10.2 (read with Guideline M on the use of the crop) in that he hit the horse Wilkes County more than 12 times in the entire race. He was suspended from riding in one work riders’ race.
Work rider S Mosia was the fourth on the day to sign an Admission of Guilt for a contravention of Rule 58.10.2 (read with Guideline M on the use of the crop) in that he hit the horse Berry Flambeau more than 12 times in the entire race. He was suspended from riding in one work riders’ race.
At Durbanville on Sunday, Jockey Anthony Andrews was charged with a contravention of Rule 58.10.2, (read with Guideline M on the use of the crop) in that he used his crop more than 12 times on Photocopy during the entire race. He signed an admission of guilt and was fined R750.00.
Some interesting questions arise:
1.If a jockey has used his 12 strike allocation, does he simply ride with the hands in a tight finish and risk getting beaten on the odds-on favourite?
2. Should a contravention on a win or placed horse not elicit a bigger fine?
3.In a sixteen horse field, the already hard-pressed Stipes may be counting over 192 strikes to monitor compliance. Does this happen on raceday?
Send your questions in – we shall compile a full list for the NHA. The launch of the new rule probably requires more public information and education.
