SHARON KOTZEN MAIDEN PLATE (3-year-old Fillies) (For Maiden 3 year-old Fillies)

THE STARTER REPORTED: a) SHORI KAI (C Little) was stubborn loading and jumped slow, losing one length. b) OLIVE OYL (R Fourie) was nervous in the stalls. c) ROYAL MISSY (MK Katjedi) jumped slow, losing one length. THE STIPENDIARY STEWARDS REPORTED: a) SECONDS OUT (S Naidoo) over raced in the middle stages. b) OLIVE OYL (R Fourie) was hanging in from the 350m. c) ROYAL MISSY (MK Katjedi) was carried outwards slightly by SHORI KAI (C Little), which raced green and shifted outwards away from the crop at approximately the 150m. d) Trainer SB Kotzen was questioned regarding the improved performance of HAZE AND SMOKE. She explained that in this filly's previous start on 11 July 2025, she had been immature. That race had brought her on and she had also eased up on her work at home, which had assisted this filly. That, accompanied with the weaker calibre of the field in today's race had, in her opinion, accounted for the improved run. Trainer SB Kotzen further stated that this filly is maturing and strengthening and would continue to improve when raced over more ground in future engagements. Her explanation was noted. e) Jockey S Naidoo was charged with a contravention of Rule 58.10.2 (read with Guideline G) in that he mis-used his crop by striking SECONDS OUT when it was out of contention for a place. Jockey S Naidoo signed an admission of guilt and was fined R500.00. In assessing an appropriate penalty, the Board considered Jockey S Naidoo's record with regard to contraventions of this Rule. f) HAZE AND SMOKE, the winner, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis. Trainer SB Kotzen was advised. (LM) JOCKEY AND/OR EQUIPMENT CHANGES: a) Nil RACE CARD CHANGES / OTHER a) Nil THE VETERINARY SURGEON REPORTED: a) SECONDS OUT - brush wound left hind b) CALL ME CLARION - cut into left hind THERE WERE NO SCRATCHINGS