While the odds-on favourite Kommetdieding was reported to have pulled up fatigued after running out of the money in the R2 million TAB The Premier’s Champions Challenge at Turffontein on Saturday, the drama in the Highveld Gr1 extended to the top two finishing riders receiving heavy crop use fines.
Jockey JP van der Merwe, who recently celebrated a return to race riding after a suspension followed a contentious finding in Singapore, managed to get the long-priced Astrix home by a head was charged with a contravention of Rule 58.10.2 (read with Guideline C on the use of the crop) in that he struck his mount more than three times on consecutive strides.
JP van der Merwe drives Astrix to a narrow victory (Pic – JC Photos)
The winner’s cheque in the Gr1 headliner was R1,2 million.
Van der Merwe signed an Admission of Guilt and a fine of R15 000 was imposed.
When assessing the penalty, the Board took into consideration the number of consecutive strikes (6), Jockey van der Merwe’s recent record with regard to this Rule and Guideline (4) as well as the status of the race.
Jockey Smanga Khumalo, who rode second-placed Sparkling Water, was charged with a contravention of Rule 58.10.2 (read with Guideline M on the use of the crop) in that he misused his crop by striking his mount more than twelve times in the race.
Jockey Khumalo signed an Admission of Guilt and was fined R2500 as well as being suspended from riding in two Central Province racemeetings.
When assessing the penalty, the Board took into consideration the number of times the crop was used (13), the status of the race as well as Jockey Khumalo’s recent record with regards to this Rule and Guideline (3) over a sixty-day period. The Board also took into consideration Jockey Khumalo’s record with regards to this Rule and Guideline for the current season.
A vastly experienced racing personality has labelled the R15 000 penalty dished out to JP van der Merwe as ‘out of proportion’.
“The new age crops have been modified. They do no damage – there was no mention in the report of Astrix returning with marks. It’s a Gr1 race – it should not be a reason to dish out fines just because the boy had a nice payday. He rode with commitment – for his life. He has just come back from that incident in Singapore. It’s a difficult position. The rules are in place for a reason – but it just seems very harsh,” he added.
