RACING TODAY MR 76 HANDICAP (Open)

THE STARTER REPORTED: a) HAARLEM (S Khumalo) kicked the back gates in the starting stalls, was taken out and reloaded. b) HOSPICES DE BEAUNE (W Agrella) was nervous in the stalls, was taken out, reloaded and thereafter jumped outwards. c) STAR COIN (C Habib) and SLAINTE MHATH (L Mxothwa) were stubborn loading. d) HAARLEM (S Khumalo) was slow into stride. THE STIPENDIARY STEWARDS REPORTED: a) All horses selected for TCO2 were within the required levels and no retests were recorded. (14h22) b) HAARLEM (S Khumalo) had to steady between STAR COIN (C Habib), which shifted outwards slightly and DOWNING SEVEN (*N Nastili), which was carried inward by PARDON ME (MK Katjedi), which in turn was carried in by ROLL OF THE DICE (M van Rensburg), which jumped inwards and shifted inwards shortly after the start. Jockey M van Rensburg appeared before the Board and was advised to take immediate corrective measures when his horse is shifting ground after the start. c) HOSPICES DE BEAUNE (W Agrella), which jumped outwards, was corrected and thereafter over raced in the early and middle stages. d) SLAINTE MHATH (L Mxothwa) had to steady and was directed outwards to avoid the heels of ROLL OF THE DICE (M van Rensburg), which shifted in at approximately the 250m. Trainer SB Kotzen lodged an objection on behalf of the 4th placed SLAINTE MHATH (L Mxothwa) against the 1st placed ROLL OF THE DICE (M van Rensburg) on the grounds of interference at the 250m. The Objection Board, after having regard to the evidence put forward, reviewing the patrol film from various angles and giving consideration to the margin of 2.75 lengths between the two horses concerned, was satisfied that SLAINTE MHATH (L Mxothwa) would not have finished ahead of ROLL OF THE DICE (M van Rensburg) had this incident not occurred and therefore overruled the Objection. The Objection Board considered this objection to be unwarranted and declared the Objection fee forfeit in terms of Rule 67.7.3. Jockey M van Rensburg was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.7 in that as the rider of ROLL OF THE DICE, he failed to ensure that he did not cause interference to SLAINTE MHATH at the 250m. Jockey M van Rensburg signed an Admission of Guilt and is suspended from riding in races for a period of 7 days. (Dates: 13/08/2025 to 19/08/2025, both dates inclusive) e) STAR COIN (C Habib) shifted outwards away from the crop at the 150m. f) Jockey L Mxothwa reported that SLAINTE MHATH did not stride out freely in running. The Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine this gelding. g) In view of the report from the Starter regarding SLAINTE MHATH (L Mxothwa), Trainer SB Kotzen will be advised to have this gelding re-schooled prior to his next engagement in terms of Rule 61.6.10. h) ROLL OF THE DICE, the winner, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis. Trainer WGC Miller was advised. (LM) JOCKEY AND/OR EQUIPMENT CHANGES: a) Nil RACE CARD CHANGES / OTHER a) Nil THE VETERINARY SURGEON REPORTED: a) SLAINTE MHATH - examined post-race. Lame right front. Rule 49.7 applies. A veterinary certificate is required prior to acceptance. Trainer SB Kotzen was advised (Dr J de Villiers) THERE WERE NO SCRATCHINGS