WELCOME TO NELSON MANDELA BAY MAIDEN PLATE (F & M) (For Maiden F&M)

THE STARTER REPORTED: a) The tongue tie on NIGHT IN JAPAN (C Little) was re-fitted at the start. b) CAUGHTUBYSURPRISE (X Ndlovu) and MEDITERRANEANFLAME (J Gates) were stubborn loading. c) TANZANITE (C Habib) was nervous in the stalls. d) CAUGHTUBYSURPRISE (X Ndlovu) jumped awkwardly outwards and made contact with MEDITERRANEANFLAME (J Gates) leaving the stalls. e) GOLDIELOX (C Maujean) and SOMBREUIL (M Yeni) were slow into stride. THE STIPENDIARY STEWARDS REPORTED: a) All horses selected for TCO2 were within the required levels and no retests were recorded. (12h10) b) The starting stalls were re-positioned on the outside of the track to accommodate the Jockey's concerns regarding the patches on the track. All horses in this race were ridden on the outside of the track, parallel to where the starting stalls were positioned. c) In view of the performance of NIGHT IN JAPAN (C Little), which was hanging in from the 600m, shifted out away from the crop at the 350m and was corrected, the Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine this filly. Trainer JVA Strydom was advised to report back should he find anything amiss with this filly on her return to the stables. d) At approximately the 100m TANZANITE (C Habib) shied away from SOMBREUIL (M Yeni), which shifted in, and made slight contact with PHYSIOLOGUS (MK Katjedi). e) Shortly before the finish line Jockey W Agrella, anticipating that the horses on his inside would duck out due to the patches reported, gathered his reins and restrained ELUSIVE BOMBA, which had raced green. However, Jockey W Agrella did not lose any ground as a consequence. Jockey W Agrella appeared before the Board and was questioned regarding his riding of ELUSIVE BOMBA in the latter stages. He told the Board that ELUSIVE BOMBA was green. However, he rode hard with his hands and heels and did not want to use his crop liberally on this horse as it also had tendencies to duck out. His explanation was noted and the Stewards will monitor Jockey W Agrella's riding on ELUSIVE BOMBA in future engagements. f) MEDITERRANEANFLAME (J Gates) raced green. g) Shortly after the finish line TANZANITE (C Habib) made contact with PHYSIOLOGUS (MK Katjedi), which ducked outwards away from the patch that the jockeys were concerned about. h) When questioned regarding the improved performance of PHYSIOLOGUS when compared to his previous runs, Trainer E Kaknis advised that he had put a hood on this filly which, in his opinion, had accounted for her improved performance. Trainer E Kaknis' explanation was noted. i) PHYSIOLOGUS (MK Katjedi), the winner, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis. Trainer E Kaknis was advised. (LM) j) TANZANITE, the second-placed horse, the winner, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis. Assistant Trainer DG Smith, acting on behalf of Trainer GD Smith, was advised. (LM) JOCKEY AND/OR EQUIPMENT CHANGES: a) NIGHT IN JAPAN raced with a tongue tie (declared 10h52 on 20250829) b) PHYSIOLOGUS raced with a compression mask (declared 08h54 on 20250831) c) PHYSIOLOGUS raced without a tongue tie (declared 09h04 on 20250831) d) SOMBREUIL raced with blinkers (declared 09h07 on 20250831) RACE CARD CHANGES / OTHER a) Nil THE VETERINARY SURGEON REPORTED: a) NIGHT IN JAPAN - examined post-race. Nothing obvious detected. THERE WERE NO SCRATCHINGS