Hollywoodbets COMMONWEALTH PLATE (For 2 yo R100 000 Win BSA Bonus Series - Non-Black Type)

THE STARTER REPORTED: a) JEWEL CAT (G van Niekerk) was restless in the stalls. b) WILLIAM WEST (B Fayd'Herbe), GOLDEN TATJANA (S Veale) and SPIRIT'S UNITE (O Noach) were slow into stride. THE STIPENDIARY STEWARDS REPORTED: a) Approaching the 100m JEWEL CAT (G van Niekerk) had to be steadied momentarily when close to the heels of GOLDEN TATJANA (S Veale), which was carried out by POMPEI WARNING (JP van der Merwe), which was directed outwards into clear running. Jockey JP van der Merwe appeared before the Board and was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. b) On returning to the scale, the Clerk of Scales reported that Jockey JP van der Merwe, the rider of POMPEI WARNING, had weighed in 2.7kgs under the weight at which he was declared out. An objection was lodged by the Clerk of Scales in terms of Rule 68.2.11 which, after hearing the evidence, was upheld and POMPEI WARNING (JP van der Merwe) was disqualified in terms of Rule 69.7 c) After investigation, it was established that the lead bag had not been included in the equipment of POMPEI WARNING (JP van der Merwe) when this colt was saddled and had been left behind in the saddling area. Trainer ELP Steyn was charged with a contravention of Rule 72.1.28 in that as the Trainer and the person responsible for the saddling of POMPEI WARNING, he was negligent in that he failed to include the lead bag with the saddle and associated equipment when saddling this horse in the security area, which resulted in this colt being disqualified. Trainer ELP Steyn signed an Admission of Guilt and was fined R20 000.00. d) Jockey JP van der Merwe was charged with a contravention of Rule 21.11 in that he failed to ensure that he carried the correct weight when riding POMPEI WARNING in this race. Jockey JP van der Merwe signed an Admission of Guilt and was given a warning. In assessing this matter regarding the role played by Jockey JP van der Merwe (POMPEI WARNING), the Stewards determined that the circumstances of the incident warranted the penalty of a warning. Although the rider is ultimately responsible for ensuring that he carries the correct weight for a horse in a race, the Stewards established that the Trainer in this case had been negligent by not including the lead bag in the equipment when saddling the horse in question and that Jockey JP van der Merwe had weighed out correctly. Further, it was established that due to time constraints, Jockey JP van der Merwe had not been in the position to dismount at the start to check his equipment and the Stewards deemed this to be a strong mitigating factor in assessing penalty. e) In view of the report from the Starter regarding JEWEL CAT (G van Niekerk), Trainer SJ Snaith will be advised to have this colt re-schooled before his next engagement in terms of Rule 61.6.10. f) Jockey B Fayd'Herbe was charged with a contravention of Rule 58.10.2 (read with Guideline M on the use of the crop) in that he misused his crop by striking WILLIAM WEST more than 12 times in the entire race. Jockey B Fayd'Herbe signed an admission of guilt and was fined R1500,00. In determining penalty, the Board took into account the distance over and manner in which Jockey B Fayd'Herbe used his crop and the number of strikes (14) over the permissible level. g) SPEEDING BULLET, the winner, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis. Trainer SJ Snaith was advised. (TJ) JOCKEY AND/OR EQUIPMENT CHANGES: a) Nil RACE CARD CHANGES / OTHER a) Nil THE VETERINARY SURGEON HAD NO REPORTS THERE WERE NO SCRATCHINGS