Khumalo stands down

S’manga Khumalo’s error of judgment aboard Captain Courteous in Race 3 at Fairview last Friday appears to have been a costly in more ways than one.

Justin Snaith, trainer of Captain Courteous, has removed Khumalo from all of the six rides the former and soon to be again champion jockey had for the stable at Durbanville today.

According to the National Racing Bureau the decision was made by “mutual agreement”.

Khumalo looked to have Race 3 in the bag as he cruised clear at the 200m mark. However, probably thinking he had the race all sewn up, Khumalo dropped his hands which allowed 2-1 favourite Seattle Light, seen by many as a Pick 6 banker on the day, to come back at him. With Khumalo still not asking his mount for an effort, Luyolo Mxothwa urged Seattle Light on and got up on the line.

Khumalo has said that his mount dug in his toes and he could not get Captain Courageous going again.

The stipendiary stewards announced that an inquiry into “Khumalo’s riding in the closing stages” will be held.

This appears to be the third time Khumalo has been involved in an inquiry for similar offences. He was fined R75,000 for a 2013 incident in which he was found guilty of not riding his horse in a professional manner.

And then in April this year he was penalised for failing to ride Dragoon out to the end of the race, thereby prejudicing his chances of obtaining an outright third position. Dragoon dead-heated for third.

Khumalo has frequently ridden for Snaith in Port Elizabeth but he has no rides for the former champion trainer on Fairview’s Friday card.