RACING240 FOR RACING. FOR YOU OPEN MAIDEN (For Maiden R15 000 Win Bonus ROA Members)

THE STARTER REPORTED: a) MY TRUE LOVE (X Ndlovu) was stubborn loading. b) HUNTING GROUND (C Maujean) was nervous in the stalls and jumped outwards leaving the stalls. c) ROYAL VENUS (M Mjoka) jumped slow, losing one length. d) BYTHELITEOFTHEMOON (R Fourie) was slow into stride. THE STIPENDIARY STEWARDS REPORTED: a) Shortly after the start, MY TRUE LOVE (X Ndlovu) was bumped by HUNTING GROUND (C Maujean), which jumped outwards leaving the stalls. b) The saddle on FIRE CHASER (L Mxothwa) slipped back in running. This was confirmed by a Stipendiary Steward. c) Jockey R Fourie reported that BYTHELITEOFTHEMOON made an abnormal respiratory noise in running. The Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine this filly. d) In view of the performance of HUNTING GROUND (C Maujean), which was hanging out on the turn and gave ground to the field quickly in the straight, the Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine this gelding. e) In view of the performance of TORRONE, which did not respond to Jockey S Khumalo's urgings and was not persevered with from the 200m, the Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine this filly. f) Jockey L Mxothwa was charged with a contravention of Rule 58.10.2 (read with Guideline A on the use of the crop) in that he used his crop in a manner which resulted in weals on the right hindquarter of FIRE CHASER. Jockey L Mxothwa signed an admission of guilt and was fined R2 500,00. When assessing penalty, the Stewards considered that this was Jockey Mxothwa's first offence of this nature and that his crop use did not come under notice during the race or upon its subsequent review. g) FIRE CHASER, the winner, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis. Trainer K Mitchley was advised. (LM) JOCKEY AND/OR EQUIPMENT CHANGES: a) L Mxothwa rode FIRE CHASER (declared 12h28 on 20240107) RACE CARD CHANGES / OTHER a) Nil THE VETERINARY SURGEON REPORTED: a) TORRONE - examined post-race. Not striding out right hind b) BYTHELITEOFTHEMOON - examined post-race. Abnormal respiratory noise c) HUNTING GROUND - examined post-race. Nothing obvious detected d) FIRE CHASER - weals on right hind quarter THERE WERE NO SCRATCHINGS