RACING240 OPEN MAIDEN (For all Maidens)

THE STARTER REPORTED: a) NUCLEAR POWER (*W Fourie) and MATTS ROCKET (*J Botes) were slow into stride. b) GREY WARRIOR's (R Fourie) saddle slipped back leaving the stalls and thereafter, he was slow into stride. THE STIPENDIARY STEWARDS REPORTED: a) All horses selected for TCO2 were within the required levels and no retests were recorded. (15h27) b) Between the 150m and the 100m PICK A POMODORO (L Mxothwa) and DISRUPTIVE (MK Katjedi) were cramped for galloping room in varying degrees between TOTAL ERUPTION (*G Dookhit), which shifted inwards away from the crop and O SPACE O (M van Rensburg), which continuously shifted outwards. Thereafter, TOTAL ERUPTION (*G Dookhit) continued to shift inwards and carried PICK A POMODORO (L Mxothwa) further inward. The Stipendiary Stewards called for a race review with regard to this incident and after viewing the patrol film, took no further action. Jockey M van Rensburg (O SPACE O) and Apprentice G Dookhit (TOTAL ERUPTION) appeared before the Board and were advised to straighten their mounts sooner when they are shifting ground. c) Jockey R Fourie reported that the saddle on GREY WARRIOR slipped back in running. This was confirmed on the patrol film. d) Jockey MK Katjedi reported that DISRUPTIVE did not stride out freely in running. The Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine this gelding. Trainer SB Kotzen, acting on behalf of Trainer PAW Botha, was advised to report back should she find anything amiss with this gelding on his return to the stables. e) Jockey M van Rensburg was charged with a contravention of Rule 72.1.26 in that he behaved and conducted himself in such a manner which might bring racing into disrepute by using foul language during the post-race interview. Jockey M van Rensburg signed an Admission of Guilt and was fined R5000.00 of which R3000.00 is suspended for a period of one year. In considering an appropriate penalty, the Stewards took into consideration the context and intent with regard to the words used by Jockey M van Rensburg and were of the opinion that no disrespect had been intended and any offense caused was unintentional. f) O SPACE O, the winner, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis. Trainer WGC Miller was advised. (LM) JOCKEY AND/OR EQUIPMENT CHANGES: a) AETHELWULF raced without a compression mask and ear muffs and with cheek pieces. (declared 08h35 on 20260121) b) TOTAL ERUPTION raced with blinkers. (declared 07h55 on 20260122) c) MATT'S WARRIOR raced without cheek pieces. (declared 08h34 on 20260121) RACE CARD CHANGES / OTHER: a) MATTS ROCKET (Z Oosthuizen) raced in Racing Operator colours. THE VETERINARY SURGEON REPORTED: a) DISRUPTIVE - examined post-race. Nothing obvious detected. b) MATTS ROCKET - fatigued. THERE WERE NO SCRATCHINGS.