PERFECTLY PLACED CLASS 4 (Open. Benchmark at 60.0kg = 80)

THE STARTER REPORTED: a) NOON DAY GUN (O Noach) got its head into the adjacent stall and had to be corrected. b) SHIFTING PATH (JP van der Merwe) was restless in the stalls, briefly unseated Jockey JP van der Merwe as the start was effected and lost significant ground. THE STIPENDIARY STEWARDS REPORTED: a) The Stewards reviewed the start with regard to SHIFTING PATH (JP van der Merwe) in stall gate 4 and after considering the patrol film from various angles, established that as the gates opened, this gelding had lunged forward awkwardly and unbalanced Jockey JP van der Merwe, who was momentarily unseated. As a consequence, the Handler allocated to the gelding retained his hold of SHIFTING PATH's head and this gelding had lost significant ground as a result. After carefully considering the provisions of Rule 61.5.10.2, the Stewards declared SHIFTING PATH to be a non-runner. In view of the report from the Starter regarding SHIFTING PATH (JP van der Merwe), this gelding's starting stall certificate has been withdrawn and he is suspended for 7 days in terms of Rule 61.6.10 and until such time as he proves to be tractable to load with a companion. (Suspension dates: 23/07/2025 to 29/07/2025 inclusive) SHIFTING PATH may not be presented for re-passing during this period. b) CARRIACOU (G Lerena) was hanging out from the 300m and proved difficult to assist from the 100m. The Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine this gelding. c) Following this race Trainer SJ Snaith advised the Stewards that he gave instructions to Jockey R Fourie to position HONOR OF KINGS towards the outside of the racecourse as, in his opinion, the outside of the course had been sparingly raced on and may have had the better going. He told the Stewards that, in hindsight, this decision had not come to fruition as the going on the outside was considerably inferior to that of the inside and explained to some degree the indifferent performance of HONOR OF KINGS. This was confirmed by Jockey R Fourie. Notwithstanding Trainer SJ Snaith's evidence, the Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine this gelding. d) Jockey L Mxothwa was charged with a contravention of Rule 55.4 in that he failed to weigh out at the carded weight on SHIFTING PATH, or at the higher weight confirmed in his engagement with the Trainer, which resulted in a change of Rider. Jockey L Mxothwa signed an admission of guilt and was fined R1000.00. e) LATE DECEMBER, the winner, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis. Trainer GW Ennion was advised. (SC) JOCKEY AND/OR EQUIPMENT CHANGES: a) JP van der Merwe rode SHIFTING PATH (declared 14h45 on 20250722) b) *B Plaatjies (FORT RED) only claimed 0.5kg of his allowance (51.8kgs) c) G van Niekerk (COMMANDING) rode +0.5kg (56.4kgs) RACE CARD CHANGES / OTHER a) Nil THE VETERINARY SURGEON REPORTED: a) HONOR OF KINGS - examined post-race. Fatigued b) CARRIACOU - examined post-race. Nothing obvious detected SCRATCHED: a) SHIFTING PATH - declared a non-runner (declared 16h34 on 20250722)