NEXT FAIRVIEW RACEMEETING TUESDAY 10 MARCH MIDDLE STAKES (For All Horses)

THE STARTER REPORTED: a) JUAN CARLOS (W Agrella) was stubborn loading. b) GARDEN SUN (C Maujean) nudged the front gates of stall 7 open prior to the start being effected. c) BAD MEDICINE (M Yeni) and CURTISS CONDOR (R Fourie) were slow into stride. THE STIPENDIARY STEWARDS REPORTED: a) All horses selected for TCO2 were within the required levels and no retests were recorded. (15h54) b) The Stewards reviewed the start with regard to GARDEN SUN (C Maujean) in stall 7 and established that this gelding had fractionally nudged the front gates open prior to the start being effected but he had gained no advantage. However, Apprentices G Dookhit (SPOIL YOURSELF) and B Soodoo (WELSH STARLET) and Jockey Y Ramzan (ONLY A POET), under the impression that a false start would be called, pulled up their mounts. The Board summoned the Jockeys and Apprentices who rode in this race to the Boardroom, where it was established that they did not hear a siren being sounded nor did they notice the flag being waved by the Flagman to indicate a false start and, as a consequence, rode their mounts to the finish. The Starter, when interviewed, indicated that it was his intention to call a false start in terms of Rule 61.5.10.1. However, the siren, which he intended to activate in terms of Rule 65.5.12, malfunctioned due to a technical issue. Apprentices G Dookhit (SPOIL YOURSELF) and B Soodoo (WELSH STARLET) and Jockey Y Ramzan (ONLY A POET) appeared before the Board and were questioned as to the reason they had pulled up their mounts. They explained that they anticipated a false start being called and were under the impression that the Flagman had waved his flag, contrary to established facts, and therefore pulled up their respective mounts. They were strongly advised that in similar circumstances in future, they are obligated to ride their mounts to the finish until such time as the siren is sounded or the Flagman waves them down to indicate a false start. The Board, after hearing all the evidence, declared SPOIL YOURSELF (*G Dookhit), WELSH STARLET (*B Soodoo) and ONLY A POET (Y Ramzan) runners and were satisfied that no runner had gained an advantage and deemed this race to be fair. d) An investigation has been opened into the attempt to call a false start in this race. e) BAD MEDICINE, the winner, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis. Trainer K Mitchley was advised. (LM) JOCKEY AND/OR EQUIPMENT CHANGES: a) Nil. RACE CARD CHANGES / OTHER: a) Nil. THE VETERINARY SURGEON REPORTED: a) TWENTY DRACHMA'S - scalp wound left hind. b) CURTISS CONDOR - scalp wound right hind. THERE WERE NO SCRATCHINGS.