CLASSIFIED STAKES 71 (For horses with nett rating of 71 and below)

THE START OF THIS RACE WAS SIGNIFICANTLY DELAYED AFTER ONO NO KOMACHI BROKE THROUGH THE STALLS, DISLODGING JOCKEY P MXOLI, AND BOLTING THE COURSE. ONO NO KOMACHI WAS SUBSEQUENTLY TAKEN IN HAND, EXAMINED BY THE VETERINARY SURGEON, AND SCRATCHED. THE STARTER REPORTED: a) During the loading process, ONO NO KOMACHI broke through the front gates, dislodging Jockey P Mxoli and bolting the course. This resulted in AERIAL DISPLAY (D Schwarz) and MIZZEN SWORD (C Ngcobo) exiting the stalls. The starting stall certificate for this ONO NO KOMACHI has been withdrawn. Stable Employee M Mallett, acting on behalf of Trainer A Parham, was advised (RLM). THE STIPENDIARY STEWARDS REPORTED: a) During the loading process, ONO NO KOMACHI, in starting stall gate 4, broke through the front gates, dislodging Jockey P Mxoli, and bolted the course. This incident resulted in the starting stall gates for stalls 8 and 9 opening, causing AERIAL DISPLAY (D Schwarz) and MIZZEN SWORD (C Ngcobo) to exit the stalls prematurely. Both horses were promptly restrained by their riders, returned to the start, examined by the Veterinary Surgeon, declared fit to race, and subsequently reloaded. b) Jockey D De Gouveia reported that he felt something amiss with SHES EVERYTHING in running. The Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine. c) In view of the Starter's report with regard to ONO NO KOMACHI, this filly's starting stall certificate has been withdrawn, and she is suspended in terms of Rule 61.6.10 for a period of 7 days and until such time as she proves tractable loading and jumping with a companion. Suspension dates: 18 April 2026 to 24 April 2026. ONO NO KOMACHI may not be presented for re-passing during this period. Stable Employee M Mallett, acting on behalf of Trainer A Parham, was advised. d) BURN BRIGHT (J Penny), the winner, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis. Trainer B H Stidolph advised (AH). JOCKEY CHANGES: a) WHEN EVENING COMES: Jockey M Thackeray weighed out at 57,9kg, 2,5kg over the carded weight as declared. RACE CARD CHANGES / OTHER: a) COPPER FIRE raced equipped with ear muffs (declared 17 April 2026 at 09H57). THE VETERINARY SURGEON REPORTED: a) SHES EVERYTHING abnormal respiratory noise. SCRATCHED: a) ROYAL LYTHAM under medication (Trainer) (Rule 53.5 applies). b) ONO NO KOMACHI bolted (NHA). DISQUALIFIED / DECLARED NON-RUNNER: None.