TAB HAWAII STAKES (Grade 2) (Open)

SHORTLY BEFORE THE START WAS EFFECTED, WINDS OF CHANGE (M MICHEL) IN STALL GATE 2 PRE-EMPTED THE START AND BROKE THROUGH THE FRONT GATES PREMATURELY. THIS RESULTED IN A FALSE START BEING CALLED. ALL RUNNERS WERE RESTRAINED BY THEIR RIDERS, RETURNED TO THE START, EXAMINED BY THE VETERINARY SURGEON AND PASSED FIT TO RACE, AND THE RELOADING PROCESS COULD BEGIN AGAIN. THIS CAUSED A DELAY TO THE START OF THIS RACE. THE STARTER REPORTED: a) A false start was called due to WINDS OF CHANGE (M Michel) in stall gate 2 pre-empting the start and breaking through the front gates prematurely. b) TEXAS RED (M K Katjedi) was stubborn loading. Trainer R Klaasen was advised to reschool this gelding prior to his next engagement (GT). c) MAIN DEFENDER (C Zackey) jumped inwards leaving the stalls. d) WINDS OF CHANGE (M Michel) was slow into stride. THE STIPENDIARY STEWARDS REPORTED: a) All horses selected for TCO2 were within the required levels, and no retests were recorded. b) Shortly after the start, WINDS OF CHANGE (M Michel) was steadied momentarily when awkwardly placed on the inside of MAIN DEFENDER (C Zackey), which jumped inwards leaving the stalls. c) MAIN DEFENDER (C Zackey) hung in from the 300m. d) CATS PAJAMAS (R Fourie) hung in in the concluding stages. e) CATS PAJAMAS (R Fourie), the winner, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis. Trainer N Kotzen was advised (MS). f) Jockey M K Katjedi appeared before the Board and was questioned with regard to the poor performance of TEXAS RED. Jockey M K Katjedi advised that this gelding was affected by the false start and thereafter was very restless and proved stubborn loading. In his opinion, this had accounted for the poor performance of today's race. g) ONE EYE ON VEGAS (S Veale), placed second, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis. Trainer Matthew de Kock was advised (MduP). JOCKEY CHANGES: a) ONE EYE ON VEGAS was ridden by Jockey S Veale (declared 2 April 2026 at 12H01). RACE CARD CHANGES / OTHER: a) ONE EYE ON VEGAS: New merit rating 106. THE VETERINARY SURGEON REPORTED: a) MAIN DEFENDER mouth injury. b) WINDS OF CHANGE cut into left front. THERE WERE NO SCRATCHINGS. DISQUALIFIED / DECLARED NON-RUNNER: None.