The compensatory actions of South Africa’s leading bookmakers and the tote to soften the blow to punters caused by what, on the surface, initially appears to be a marginal decision by the Stipendiary Stewards in the Vaal opener on Thursday, have been welcomed across the board.
But do we blame the Stipes for just applying the rules and not allowing any form of opportunity for any eventuality, or was Smanga Khumalo at fault?
Leading sportsbook operator Hollywoodbets, together with the various regional totes, made a decision to treat She’s A Klawer as a scratching after the Chris Jonker filly had literally no chance of competing in the opener at the Vaal today, with her jockey seemingly out of the saddle, and a handler holding her bridle as the gates were sprung.
Piere Strydom guides Secret Recipe to victory in the Vaal opener on Thursday (Pic – JC Photos)
Something of a fractious filly at the stalls, her rider appeared to be slightly to the rear and out of the saddle with both of his legs on the sides of the gates, while the handler was holding on to her as the starter made the call-down to the release of the gates.
She’s A Klawer’s backers effectively never had a run for their money, but she was nevertheless declared to be under starter’s orders by the Stipendiary Stewards. But we ask again, who was at fault here?
A spokesman for Hollywoodbets said that they felt that it was only fair and sporting to treat the filly as a non-runner without deductions, thereby ensuring a full refund for all of their customers who wagered wins, multiples, places, and other open bets. Notwithstanding the 5-1 starting price of the horse, which would have resulted in a 20% deduction on a normal scratching , the scratching without deduction was done so as not to prejudice any other winners.
Here’s a head on of the start:
The She’s A Klawer incident could well have similarities to that of Gregor Macgregor at Turffontein on 21 March 2023.
In that case Diego De Gouveia was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.2, in that he was deemed to have acted in an unprofessional manner by failing to take all reasonable measures to ensure that he was sufficiently prepared for the start, whilst in the stalls and under Starter’s orders. This led to him being unseated when the start was effected.
De Gouveia was suspended from riding in races for a period of seven days.
Khumalo could well face a similar charge, although NHA CEO Vee Moodley asked that we await the official Stipes Report.
Mr Moodley said that he had been out of province at a meeting, but a brief consultation with his senior management had indicated that they were fully satisfied with the decision to declare She’s A Klawer a runner.
The Stipes also have the benefit of multiple camera angles as well as insight into behaviour and history.
