After a string of close calls, Dennis Bosch’s consistent mare Shezaleader finally got another victory under her girth at Scottsville on Sunday, but even then she did not cross the line first in the White Heart Décor Handicap.
Shezaleader (Muzi Yeni – pink sleeves) and Free State (Alec Forbes) go head to head
It took the stipendiary stewards what seemed an inordinately long time to decide on what looked to be fairly obvious interference by the winner Free State given that the margin of victory was a couple of pixels.
Inside the final furlong Free State shifted sharply inwards cannoning into favourite A Womans Way who in turn rolled onto Shezaleader, both of whom had been up with the pace throughout.
A Womans Way was checked out of the sandwich and switched from behind Free State but her race was already compromised. Alec Forbes did manage to straighten up Free State in the rush for the line but the damage had been done.
Forbes knew it as he unsaddled outside of the winner’s circle, so did Muzi Yeni aboard Shezaleader who made a beeline for the boardroom. The stewards quickly called for a race review but it was left to Yeni to lodge the successful protest.
The Stipes reported:
- Approaching the 300 metre mark SHEZALEADER (M Yeni) shifted out slightly brushing A WOMENS WAY (G van Niekerk). Shortly thereafter FREE STATE (A Forbes) shifted in slightly making contact with A WOMENS WAY (G van Niekerk) who became unbalanced and was carried inwards carrying SHEZALEADER (M Yeni) inwards sharply.
- At approximately the 200 metre mark A WOMENS WAY (G van Niekerk) switched outwards off the heels of FREE STATE (A Forbes) who was shifting inwards which resulted in WELL IN FLIGHT (*D de Gouveia) being carried outwards making contact with ALIYSA’S PRIZE (ARG) (S Randolph). Thereafter FREE STATE (A Forbes) continued to hang in brushing and carrying SHEZALEADER (M Yeni) inwards shortly before the finish.
- Following a race review an Objection was lodged by Jockey M Yeni rider of the second placed horse SHEZALEADER against the winner FREE STATE (A Forbes) on the grounds of interference at approximately the 300 metre mark and thereafter in the closing stages. The Objection Board after considering the evidence and considering the winning distance of a short head were of the opinion that but for the interference SHEZALEADER (M Yeni) would have beaten FREE STATE (A Forbes) and thereafter upheld the Objection, refunded the deposit and amended the result.
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