CAPE CLASSIC (Grade 3) (For 3 year-olds)

THE STARTER REPORTED: a) ARISTOCRATIC (C Zackey) was slow into stride. THE STIPENDIARY STEWARDS REPORTED: a) Leaving the 1000m, the saddle on AVERSATOR (S Veale), which over raced in the early stages, commenced to slip forward. As a consequence, Jockey S Veale directed AVERSATOR outwards and allowed this colt to race around runners and to the front of the field. As a result, ABSOLUTELY YES (M Yeni), which had pulled hard in the early stages and was racing on the outside of AVERSATOR (S Veale), was carried wide on the turn and into the straight. b) At the 250m, PAY THE PALACE (C Orffer) was carried inwards and made contact with AVERSATOR (S Veale), which in turn made contact with PAY THE PALACE (C Orffer) when racing on the inside of GOOD FOR YOU (C Little), which was hanging in from the 400m and proved a difficult ride. Assistant Trainer T Woolard was shown the patrol film and was questioned regarding GOOD FOR YOU's racing manners as this gelding has a history of hanging to the left in its races. Assistant Trainer Woolard has undertaken to discuss this matter with Trainer GS Kotzen and advised that they will consider changing the equipment used on GOOD FOR YOU in an attempt to correct this gelding's tendency to hang to the left. The Stewards will monitor GOOD FOR YOU's racing manners in future engagements. c) Jockey M Yeni and Trainer SJ Snaith were questioned with regard to the change of tactics used on ABSOLUTELY YES, which had previously raced to good effect from the front of the field. Both Jockey Yeni and Trainer Snaith told the Stewards that, in their opinions, this gelding had not been settling when ridden in that manner and thus they had changed tactics in an effort to get ABSOLUTELY YES to finish off its races better than it had on previous occasions. Their explanation was noted. d) Jockey C Murray was charged with a contravention of Rule 58.10.2 (Guideline 3; Appendix E) in that he mis-used his crop by striking COUNT OF ROUEN in front of the saddle on two occasions in the concluding stages. Jockey C Murray signed an admission of guilt and was fined R1 500.00. e) VAPOUR TRAIL, the winner, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis. Trainer VH Marshall was advised. (ZM) JOCKEY AND/OR EQUIPMENT CHANGES: a) Nil RACE CARD CHANGES / OTHER a) Nil THE VETERINARY SURGEON REPORTED: a) ARISTOCRASTIC - blowing b) RANDOLPH HEARST - coughing SCRATCHED: a) SAUDI CAT (ARG) - lame right front. Rule 53.5 applied (declared 09h15 on 20251030)