NHA to probe the start of first race at Kenilworth

DRAW: IT APPEARS FAVOURITE PUMEZA JUMPED FROM NO 11 DRAW INSTEAD OF NO 10 Inquiry to held this week.

The National Horseracing Authority have opened an inquiry into the start of Race 1 at Kenilworth on Saturday in which it appears two horses jumped from the incorrect starting stalls.

Pumeza, the 14-10 favourite, was drawn at gate No 11 but the scratching of Dynamic Diana meant Pumeza and Miss Crusade, the horse drawn on her outside, should have moved to gates No 10 and 11 respectively.

It appears this did not happen and the pair jumped from their original barrier gates.

Arnold Hyde, NHA Racing Control Executive, confirmed yesterday an inquiry will be held during the week to determine what led to the error.

“From the footage I have seen the horse seems to have jumped quite well. Whether it materially affected the outcome of the result is one side of the argument.

“However, it isn’t right. You can’t get away from the fact that when a barrier position is allocated the horses have to be in the right stalls.”

He added that it is the duty of both the starter and the jockeys to ensure they jump from the right stalls.

“We have to see what comes out of the investigation. We need to get all the facts before we decide what steps need to be taken,” added Hyde.

Pumeza ended up in fourth spot, beaten 3.05 lengths. The race was won by first-timer Rebel’s Spirit who went off at 36-1, with another first-timer, Ma Forte (12-1), running second. It proved to be a massive blow for the BiPot.

As the race was run up the straight, one stall move is unlikely to have materially affected the outcome. In fact, in the replay commentator Jehan Malherbe states: “Pumeza responded really quickly up towards the outside”.

The relevant rules pertaining to the start and the staring stalls are as follows:

NHA rule 61.6.1.1 states that save as otherwise provided in the RULES:- no HORSE shall be started from a stall other than that allotted by the draws.

Rule 61.6.3.2 states:- On an order from the starter:- RIDERS shall ride their HORSES into their correct stalls and the starting staff shall assist them accordingly. Rule 61.5.16 & 17 states:- No RIDER shall take up a position at the start of a RACE other than that allotted, take any undue advantage at the start, wilfully delay the start, display impertinence towards, or refuse to obey the starter, or generally misbehave at the start. And that:- Any RIDER committing a misdemeanour at the start may be fined not more than R1,000 by the starter provided that any fine shall be confirmed by the Stipendiary Board, and provided further that should the starter consider a fine of R1,000 insufficient, he shall request that an INQUIRY be opened.