The jockey thought it was a false start, but the Stipes didn’t agree and felt that the handler impeding the filly had done so as a result of her own behaviour.
Horses, people and starting stalls are a recipe for anguish every few months, and we had a case again on Sunday that warrants some discussion, after the Sporting Post’s offices were contacted by a variety of puzzled punters.
Have a look at the replay of the Turffontein second race – the subject horse is Mike de Kock’s Platina Princess in gate 2. Muzi Yeni was aboard.
The Stipendiary Board advise that they reviewed the start with regards to Platina Princess in stall gate 2 and established that shortly before the start was effected, the filly had become restless and rushed the front gates.
As a consequence of this, the Handler assigned to her had been fractionally late releasing his hold, which resulted in her being slow away.
The Board was of the opinion that the impediment and subsequent loss of one length was as a consequence of this filly’s own behaviour and, acting in terms of Rule 61.5.10.3, declared her a runner.
Yeni appeared before the Board and he explained that after the above-mentioned incident, he had pre-empted a false start being called and had therefore not been vigorous in the early stages.
After gaining momentum, Platina Princess had made up some ground on the field before tiring.
The race was won by the 7-2 Swing Upon A Star. Platina Princess was backed from 10’s to 4-1 and ran last of the six runners, some 20 lengths back.
Jockey Yeni was advised not to anticipate the Starter’s actions and to ride to the required standard of a professional Jockey.
