Questions hang over July jockey’s belated fine
MORE than 10 weeks after the Durban July, an inquiry held at the National Horseracing Authority has fined jockey Johnny Geroudis R10,000.
The board found Geroudis guilty of weighing in 1kg overweight on Tellina, who finished third in the big race.
Understandably, this late development in SA’s most famous race has confused many. Why, to start with, was this contravention not released to the media via the stipendiary stewards’ report on the day of the race?
While jockeys have been suspended and their mounts disqualified for weighing less than they weighed out, a rider weighing in overweight is unusual.
In muddy conditions, jockeys’ silks could possibly be affected, but the going was good on July day.
Punters who backed Tellina will be unhappy as the horse might have finished closer to the winner, Power King, if he had carried the correct weight.
Comments on the website of Sporting Post leave no doubt that racing enthusiasts want more answers.
One commented: “Surely the inquiry ought to have delved into and disclosed the reason of the additional 1kg? It’s hard to fathom weight going up without some sort of skulduggery.”
Karl Miedema, the editor of Sporting Post, said: “One would have thought a conclusion/reason would have been sought or provided.”
The Vaal hosts three meetings this week with the highlight being the Supreme Cup to be run on Saturday.
Piere Strydom, who has appealed against his 90-day ban, has four booked rides at the meeting and the pick should be Tripadvisor in the third race.
A daughter of Trippi trained by Stanley Ferreira, Tripadvisor has been beaten when an odds-on favourite in three of her four starts.
To notch that elusive first win, she will have to beat another of Trippi’s progeny, Musical Romance, who has finished third in both her outings and will have Gavin Lerena in the saddle.
Trainer Steve Moffatt is confident of a big run from Roman Carnival in the Supreme Cup and he has booked Strydom for his five-year-old, Proud As Punch, in the final leg of the Pick 6.