The Stipendiary Stewards were kept busy at Turffontein on Thursday. An objection, a jockey deciding not to ride after arriving at the stalls, and a workrider exceeding the crop use limit were just some of the incidents dealt with.
In the opening race, Workrider Vusumzi Sithetho was charged with a contravention of Rule 58.10.2 (read with Guideline M on the use of the crop) in that as the rider of Breath Of Magic he misused his crop by striking this gelding more than twelve times (15) which was not deemed to be warranted when considering the circumstances of the race.
He signed an Admission of Guilt and is suspended from riding in two Work Rider races on 22 February 2024 and 7 March 2024.
The inevitable ‘advantage debate’ may come into play here for Bipot players, as Breath Of Magic ran second and beat the favourite Monte Bello into third by 0,30 lengths.
Some may recall that Mr Sithetho was the rider who ‘committed a negligent act’ – he used the toilet – after weighing out at the Vaal on 1 September 2020 and was charged with a contravention of Rule 72.1.28.
This action resulted in him weighing in after the race at more than half a kilogram under the weight at which he was declared out at and his mount Showdown Kid being disqualified, after an objection that was lodged by the Clerk of the Scales, was upheld.
Mr Sithetho pleaded guilty to and was found guilty of the charge and suspended for five Workrider races at the time.
The Stipes then had to deal with an objection after the second race on Thursday.
Positive Attitude (Chase Maujean) beats Fushimi Inari (Mxoli) and Banha Bridge (Denis Schwarz) in a tight finish – second and third was reversed on objection (Pic – JC Photos)
They reported that leaving the 200m, BANHA BRIDGE (D Schwarz), which shifted out marginally away from the crop, was carried in and bumped in on several occasions by FUSHIMI INARI (P Mxoli), which shifted in away from the crop.
A race review was called by a member of the Stipendiary Board which was followed by an Objection being lodged by him on behalf of the third-placed horse, BANHA BRIDGE (D Schwarz), against the second-placed, FUSHIMI INARI (P Mxoli), on the grounds intimidation and interference from the 200m.
The Objection Board, after reviewing the patrol film of the race and hearing all the evidence put forward by all parties, was of the opinion that but for the interference, BANHA BRIDGE (D Schwarz) would have finished in front of FUSHIMI INARI (P Mxoli) and therefore upheld the Objection and amended the Judges result.
Did they get it right? Here is the replay:
On arrival at the start of the eighth race, jockey Diego De Gouveia expressed concerns regarding the soundness of the Billy Ruiters trained 80-1 shot Flying Broomstick, who was subsequently examined by the Veterinary Surgeon, who passed her fit to race.
Despite the Vet clearance, Diego stuck to his guns and got off. No replacement rider could be found and Flying Broomstick was scratched.
In other items listed:
Assistant Trainer James Crawford, acting on behalf of Trainer B Crawford, was charged with a contravention of Rule 49.1 (read with Local Condition 5.1.2) in that he failed to do his scratching by the close of declarations, which resulted in a number of his horses nominated for the meeting of 8 February 2024 being deemed to be acceptors.
- Assistant Trainer J Crawford signed an Admission of Guilt and a fine of R2 000 was imposed.
Trainer W C Marwing signed an admission of guilt for a contravention of Rule 10.5.17.3 in that he had in his possession a Schedule 4 (FLUNIXIN GEL) medication which was prescribed more than thirty (30) days previously, is expired or remains unused from or superfluous to previous prescribed treatment.
- A penalty of a Warning was imposed.
Trainer Tony Peter signed an admission of guilt for a contravention of Rules:
72.1.7 in that he ran EDWARD RYE in a race when the ownership of this horse was not correctly registered.
72.1.8 in that he accepted payment of training fees in respect of EDWARD RYE from a person who was not the registered owner of the horse.
- A fine of R15 000 was imposed of which R5 000 is wholly suspended for a period of 1 year, on condition that he is not found guilty of a contravention of any Rule pertaining to the registration of any matter, which is required to be registered in terms of the Rules, during this period.
Trainers Mike & Adam Azzie signed an admission of guilt for a contravention of Rule 10.5.17.3 in that he had in his possession a Schedule 3 (RINGER-LACTATE SOLUTION) medication which was prescribed more than thirty (30) days previously, is expired or remains unused from or superfluous to previous prescribed treatment.
- A penalty of a Warning was imposed.
Trainer Fanie Bronkhorst signed an admission of guilt for a contravention of Rule 10.5.17.3 in that he had in his possession (TETRA EYE POWDER) medication which was prescribed more than thirty (30) days previously, is expired or remains unused from or superfluous to previous prescribed treatment.
- A penalty of a Warning was imposed.
Trainer Alec Laird (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Trainer Alec Laird signed an admission of guilt for a contravention of Rule 10.5.17.3 in that he had in his possession a Schedule 4 (DEXA 0.2 PHENIX) medication which was prescribed more than thirty (30) days previously, is expired or remains unused from or superfluous to previous prescribed treatment.
- A penalty of a Warning was imposed.
Trainer Alec Laird signed an admission of guilt for a contravention of Rule 10.5.17.3 in that he had in his possession a Schedule 4 (MAXITROL) medication which was prescribed more than thirty (30) days previously, is expired or remains unused from or superfluous to previous prescribed treatment.
- A fine of R1000 was imposed.
Trainer Alec Laird signed an admission of guilt for a contravention of Rule 10.5.17.3 in that he had in his possession a Schedule 4 (OMEPRACOTE) medication which was prescribed more than thirty (30) days previously, is expired or remains unused from or superfluous to previous prescribed treatment.
- A fine of R2500 was imposed.
