umTHOMBOTHI STAKES (Open - Non-Black Type)

THE STARTER REPORTED: a) SUGAR BLAST (D De Gouveia) was stubborn to load. b) DOWN TO BUSINESS (C Zackey) lost 1 length. THE STIPENDIARY STEWARDS REPORTED : a) MEXICAN PETE (C Habib) and SUGAR BLAST (D De Gouveia) over-raced in the early stages. b) At the 500m DOWN TO BUSINESS (C Zackey) had to ease when awkwardly placed between the outside running rail and the heels of MEXICAN PETE (C Habib) which was carried out by ADDABAR (D Daniels) which in turn was carried out by SUGAR BLAST (D De Gouveia) which rolled out when this gelding had tired and had come to the end of its run. As a consequence, DOWN TO BUSINESS (C Zackey) had to switch in off the heels of MEXICAN PETE (C Habib) which resulted in this gelding losing ground to the field. In assessing this incident, the Board was of the opinion that no blame could be apportioned to any individual rider and therefore deemed this to be a racing incident. c) In the concluding stages QUEUE WING (C Maujean) was carried out by CAPE EAGLE (S Moodley) which shifted out away from the crop and was straightened. d) BELLA SICCOME (*S Hlengwa), the winner, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis. Trainer P V Lafferty advised (HM). e) CAPE EAGLE (S Moodley), placed second, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis. Stable employee C Storey acting on behalf of Trainer W A Nel advised (DZ). JOCKEY / EQUIPMENT CHANGES : a) Jockey C Habib (MEXICAN PETE) weighed out at 54.3kg, 0.5kg over the carded weight. RACE CARD CHANGES / OTHER : a) Nil. THE VETERINARY SURGEON REPORTED : a) MEXICAN PETE : Returned post-race having cast the left front shoe. b) SUGAR BLAST : Returned post-race having cast the left hind shoe. c) QUEUE WING : Returned post-race having cast the left front shoe. THRERE WERE NO SCRATCHINGS : DISQUALIFIED / DECLARED NON-RUNNER: a) None.