PONGRACZ JET MASTER STAKES (Listed) (For all Horses)

THE STARTER REPORTED: a) CAPTAIN FONTANE (B Fayd'Herbe) and ROYAL AUSSIE (G van Niekerk) jumped slow, losing one length. THE STIPENDIARY STEWARDS REPORTED: a) CAPTAIN FONTANE (B Fayd'Herbe) pulled hard in the early stages. b) When questioned regarding his riding of PONTE PIETRA, Jockey C Zackey told the Stewards that his instructions were to drop this gelding out from its wide draw, to take up a trailing position, to allow the gelding to relax in the early and middle stages and then to close the race off strongly. The Stewards showed Jockey Zackey the patrol film from various angles and shared their observations that he had complied with the Trainer's instructions, that the gelding had taken up a rearward position and was in a position to close its race off strongly on straightening. It was put to Mr Zackey that his riding had come under notice and that there were concerns with the vigour and determination that he had demonstrated in the early part of the straight. Mr Zackey replied that, in his opinion, PONTE PIETRA had raced freely in the early stages and that he had elected to give the gelding an opportunity to have a breather in the early part of the home straight and that he had not had clear running over the final 400m. The Stewards highlighted his riding from the side-on perspective, drew his attention to the fact that the gelding had a deficit to overcome to obtain a placing, that he had only asked for an effort inside the final furlong of the race, that his crop use had been kept to a minimum and that when he had asked the gelding for an effort in the closing stages, it had responded accordingly. It was further pointed out to Mr Zackey that the margin between 2nd and 3rd was a mere 0.05 lengths. The Stewards advised Mr Zackey that his explanation would be recorded and that they would consider the contents of the interview. c) Jockey G van Niekerk (ROYAL AUSSIE) appeared before the Board, was shown the patrol film and his attention was drawn to the distance his horse had shifted out in the straight. Notwithstanding that he won the race, he was advised against the practice of allowing his mounts to cover unnecessary ground in races. d) ROYAL AUSSIE, the winner, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis. Assistant Trainer C Snaith, acting on behalf of Trainer SJ Snaith, was advised. (WM) e) GOLD POKER GAME, the second-placed horse, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis. Trainer C Bass-Robinson was advised. (TJ) JOCKEY AND/OR EQUIPMENT CHANGES: a) B Fayd'Herbe (CAPTAIN FONTANE) rode +0.5kg (60.8kgs) b) K Matsunyane (FUTURE PRINCE) rode +1kg of which 0.5kg was carded (52.4kgs) RACE CARD CHANGES / OTHER a) Nil THE VETERINARY SURGEON REPORTED: a) FUTURE PRINCE - cut into right hind THERE WERE NO SCRATCHINGS