Objection declared frivolous

THE National Horseracing Authority (NHA) confirmed that an inquiry was held into the circumstances surrounding an objection which was lodged immediately after the running of the first race at Turffontein on Saturday, September 3. The race was won by the favourite Querari Viking from Nordic Storm.

The grounds of the objection were twofold: firstly, an allegation of interference by the winner immediately after the start which resulted in the second horse clipping the heels of the winner; secondly, an interference which took place at the 300m mark which also resulted in the second horse clipping the heels of the winner.

The objection board consisting of T Khanyile (the race day Chairman) and G Timm and G Foxcroft viewed the various films of the race and heard comments from the respective trainers and jockeys. The board came to a decision (by a majority of 2 to 1 with Foxcroft dissenting) that the objection be upheld.

When this decision was announced a number of angry punters gathered outside the stipes boardroom and voiced their displeasure with the decision.

Khanyile

Khanyile was later interviewed by Tellytrack to explain the reasons for the decision.

His explanation did not satisfy the punters and further criticism was voiced. Arnold Hyde, the Racing Control Executive, then announced that an Inquiry would be conducted into the entire incident.

At the inquiry, the various films of race were viewed by the board.

This took place in the presence of Deanthan Moodley, the NHA’s legal counsel (who gave his reading of the race) and the three stipes who had sat on the objection board.

In the course of the discussions it transpired that there was no dispute about the decision to uphold the objection. the It was a wrong decision. In brief, the first complaint was without merit.

The second horse had lost 2 - 3 lengths at the start (as confirmed by the starter) and no interference or clipping of heels occurred.

As for the second complaint, again, no interference or clipping of heels took place.

During this part of the inquiry Khanyile candidly admitted that, having gone through the films after the date of the incident, he conceded that he had been wrong.

He admitted that he had made a mistake. Timm expressed similar views.

As for the inquiry board itself, it was satisfied that the objection was wholly groundless and was in fact frivolous.

The board noted that Moodley confirmed there was no evidence whatsoever to suggest that the two stipes who had upheld the decision, had in any way done so out of improper or sinister motives.

The inquiry board pointed out that it had no power to interfere with, or alter the decision.

Further, that it also had no power to conduct a disciplinary hearing into the conduct of the stipes arising out of their duties as employees of the NHA.

In the light of the above findings, the NHA has initiated internal disciplinary hearings.

Janoobi

WORLD Sports Betting (WSB ) have priced up the Mike de Kock-trained Janoobi as ante-post favourite for The Grand Heritage to be run over 1475m at the Vaal on Saturday, October 1.

Janoobi is at the top of the boards at 132, but there are question marks surrounding this horse’s involvement in the R750 000 showpiece.

The Joe Soma-trained Miracle Bureau is second favourite on 8-1, having won a 1200m event in good style on August 27, although there may be a stamina question mark about him.

The Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained Irish Pride and the Stuart Pettigrewtrained Kings Archer showed off their credentials for the race last week.

Irish Pride, despite carrying top-weight of 60.5kg, finished strongly to win a 1400m handicap at the Vaal last Tuesday and in the process beat fellow entries in The Grand Heritage, Move Like Jagger, Noah’s Ark, Cherokee Grey, Tokyo Drift, Gasoline and Counterstroke.

Earlier at the same meeting Kings Archer swept past the opposition to win a 1200m handicap by a commanding threeand-a-half lengths and among the defeated were Grand Heritage entries Master’s Spirit and Chepardo.

Irish Pride is currently a 40-1 shot while Kings Archer was attractively priced at 100-1.

Others contenders to have won since the first entries were announced are Man’s Inn, Noah’s Ark, Silver Class, Thrust, Trip To Paradise, Belenos, Miracle Bureau and National Key.

Jubilee Line

Jubilee Line had also managed a victory since taking up a place on the entry list but trainer Mike de Kock has withdrawn this runner.

Both Heavenly Blue and New Predator have been scratched along with Torro Rosso, Fort Meyers and Machismo.

The final weights will be published on September 20 but up until then are being updated on a daily basis.

The long handicap weights as they are currently structured, ranging from Night Trip on 69kg down to Over It on 38.5kg, can be viewed in the ‘public' section in www.sahorseracing.co.za .

Supplementary entries close on September 19 and the final field will be announced on Tellytrack two days later.

Following the success of the inaugural running of the Groom’s Race at the same venue last year, the upbeat organisers have once again opted to add this to the programme.

The race will see 40 Vaal-based grooms set off from the 1 600m mark in a dash for a share of R20 000 in prize money.

– Racing It’s A Rush