TABONLINE.CO.ZA (MR 82) HANDICAP

AQUA BOLT jumped slow, losing 1 length. At the 250m, SAVEA rolled in slightly and carried JEPHTHAH inwards, which brushed the hindquarter of AQUA BOLT, turned AQUA BOLT outwards. As a result of this, AQUA BOLT commenced to shift outwards sharply, carried JEPHTHAH outwards onto SAVEA, which was then forced to check and became unbalanced leaving the 200m when tightened for galloping room between JEPHTHAH and MOON ROCK. AQUA BOLT then continued to shift outwards approximately four horse widths, resulting in JEPHTHAH becoming severely tightened for galloping room and having to check with MOON ROCK being bumped outwards, making heavy contact with the hindquarter of BRAVE TIGER, which was turned inwards, became severely unbalanced and lost all momentum. MOON ROCK had to check at the 50m as a consequence of this. An objection was lodged by a member of the stipendiary board on behalf of the 2nd placed horse, JEPHTAH, and the 3rd placed horse, BRAVE TIGER, against the winner, AQUA BOLT, on the grounds of interference in the latter stages. After considering the distance between JEPHTHAH of 0.30 and AQUA BOLT, the interference suffered by JEPHTHAH and the substantial loss of momentum at a critical stage suffered by BRAVE TIGER, the stewards were of the opinion that, but for this interference, both JEPHTHAH and BRAVE TIGER would have finished in front of AQUA BOLT and accordingly upheld the objection. Jockey Andrews was charged with a contravention in that as the rider of AQUA BOLT he failed to ensure that he did not cause interference to runners on his outside from the 150m. In assessing the penalty, the Board took into account the severity of the interference, mitigating factors and his riding record. Jockey Andrews signed an Admission of Guilt and is suspended from riding in races for a period of 10 days. AQUA BOLT was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis. Vet: JEPHTHAH - coughing.