WORLD SPORTS BETTING PREMIER'S CHAMPIONS CHALLENGE (Grade 1) (For all horses at Weight for Age)

THE STARTER REPORTED: a) LITIGATION (*P Mxoli), ZEUS (R Danielson) and RULE BY FORCE (L Mxothwa) jumped slow losing one length. THE STIPENDIARY STEWARDS REPORTED: a) In the closing stages, MK'S PRIDE (M Yeni), which had come to the end of its run, was carried in and had to steady momentarily to avoid the heels of SECOND BASE (C Maujean), which commenced to hang inwards and shifted inwards. In this incident, MK'S PRIDE (M Yeni) and RAIN IN HOLLAND (R Fourie) brushed, and RAIN IN HOLLAND (R Fourie) and PUERTO MANZANO (K de Melo) brushed, all of which raced in restricted galloping room on the inside of SECOND BASE (C Maujean). Jockey C Maujean was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.7 in that he, as the rider of SECOND BASE, failed to ensure that he did not cause interference to PUERTO MANZANO (K de Melo), MK'S PRIDE (M Yeni) and RAIN IN HOLLAND (R Fourie) when he shifted in in the concluding stages. Jockey C Maujean signed an Admission of Guilt and is suspended from riding in races for a period of ten (10) days. Suspension dates: To be advised. When assessing the penalty, the Stipendiary Stewards gave regard to the status of this race, the number of horses affected and that possibly MK'S PRIDE (M Yeni) had lost the fifth position as a result of this incident. b) When questioned regarding the apparent improved performance from the second placed, SECOND BASE (C Maujean), notwithstanding that it was its first race for Trainer R Klaasen after a recent change of stables, Ms Klaasen told the Stewards that this gelding has reacted positively to its change of environment and work pattern that she had introduced since its arrival in her yard. She added that the removal of the ear muffs for today's race could also have contributed to the improvement and she intends to race the gelding without this equipment in the immediate future. c) PUERTO MANZANO (K de Melo), the winner, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis. Trainer J J van Vuuren advised (MS). JOCKEY CHANGES: None. RACE CARD CHANGES / OTHER: a) MK'S PRIDE raced equipped with blinkers (declared 28 April 2023 at 08H44). b) SECOND BASE raced without ear muffs (declared 28 April 2023 at 18H18). THE VETERINARY SURGEON HAD NO REPORTS. THERE WERE NO SCRATCHINGS. DISQUALIFIED / DECLARED NON-RUNNER: None.