In a sequel to a public auction to dissolve a partnership hosted by Cape Racing Sales on Wednesday 11 December of the top-class Red Palace, the National Horseracing Authority have announced that they have launched two investigations.
The Sporting Post published an editorial on Monday 9 December, wherein it was confirmed that Cape Racing Sales would be auctioning the filly after the final race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Wednesday 11 December.
She was sold for R3,8 million to breeder and former part owner, Terry Andrews.
Yuppie Syndicate nominee Zac Bloch hugs Candice Bass-Robinson after the eyecatching SplashOut Victress Stakes victory by Rainbow Lorikeet (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Cape Racing Sales advised the Sporting Post that Red Palace was being sold with the engagement of the SplashOut Gr3 Victress Stakes on Saturday 14 December.
It thus came as something of a surprise when we were informed by readers that the National Racing Bureau had recorded the withdrawal by the former trainer of the filly at 08h04 on Thursday 12 December, for reason of ‘sold without engagement’.
This was subsequently amended in the course of Thursday to having been withdrawn due ‘to a change of stables’, and was credited to the new trainer, Dean Kannemeyer.
The racing regulator has now launched an investigation into the scratching and also the reason why trainer Bass-Robinson did not declare riders for her three declared runners in the SplashOut Victress Stakes.
Aldo Domeyer was declared at 15h52 on Thursday 12 December for the eventual winner Rainbow Lorikeet, while JP van der Merwe was declared at the same time for stablemate Gold Poker Game.
Jockey declarations are ordinarily required to be made by declaration – in this case Monday 9 December at 11h00.
Beyond the pending investigations, things ended well enough for the Bass-Robinson yard when the improving Rainbow Lorikeet stamped her Paddock Stakes prospects with a gutsy victory in the SplashOut Victress Stakes under a top notch ride by Aldo Domeyer, to put the cherry on the top of a three-timer for the combination on the big day.
