NEXT VAAL RACEMEETING THURSDAY 22 OCTOBER GRADUATION PLATE (Maidens,1 & 2 time winners)

THE START OF THIS RACE WAS DELAYED DUE TO A FALSE START BEING CALLED BY THE STARTER. THE STARTER REPORTED: a) QUEEN OF WAR (M Thackeray) was slow losing three lengths. b) The Starter called a false start when NAAFER (AUS) broke open the front gates a fraction before the start was effected. ELUSIVE JACK (R Danielson), LOUIS THE SEVENTH (*P Mxoli) GARDEN PARTY (G Lerena), MARENGO (C Storey), DEWALI (M Yeni), QUEEN OF WAR (M Thackeray) and VARINA (S Khumalo) were returned to the start, checked by the Veterinary Surgeon, passed fit to race and reloaded. The starting stall certificate for NAAFER (AUS) has been withdrawn. Assistant Trainer A Ndzilana, acting on behalf of Trainer M F de Kock, was advised (LA). THE STIPENDIARY STEWARDS REPORTED: a) Jockey G Lerena and Trainer P A Peter requested permission from the Stipendiary Board that the crop not be used on GARDEN PARTY, as its history has shown that it resents the use of the crop in training and in races. b) The Starter called a false start due to NAAFER (AUS) (C Murray), in stall gate 2, breaking its front gate open prematurely. All runners were restrained by their respective riders with the exception of NAAFER (AUS) (C Murray), ARISTACHUS (D Schwarz) and SLALOM QUEEN (L Hewitson) which bolted and were subsequently withdrawn by the Veterinary Surgeon. When questioned, Jockey L Hewitson, the rider of SLALOM QUEEN, informed the Stewards that he had heard the false start siren and had attempted to restrain this filly, however she was already in her stride and it proved difficult to take charge of this filly as he was mindful that she has exhibited a tendency to become unbalanced when being suddenly restrained and that he was concerned that if he had done so, she could have caused injury to herself. His explanation was noted. The start of this race was delayed as a consequence. A race review was called into the start of this race to establish if DEWALI (M Yeni), in stall gate 6, had been impeded by the front gate bouncing back as the start was effected. The Stipendiary board, after reviewing the start from various angles and taking evidence from Jockey M Yeni, the rider of DEWALI, was satisfied that DEWALI had been impeded by its front gate bouncing back but this had been due to this gelding's own behaviour as it had attempted to break open the front gates prematurely. In view of this, the provisions of Rule 61.5.10.3 were enacted and DEWALI (M Yeni) was declared to be a runner. c) LOUIS THE SEVENTH (*P Mxoli ) hung in from the 300m. d) GARDEN PARTY (G Lerena), the winner, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis. Trainer P A Peter advised (DR). e) In view of the Starter's report with regard to NAAFER (AUS), this gelding's starting stall certificate has been withdrawn and he is suspended in terms of Rule 61.6.10 for a period of 7 days and until such time as he proves tractable loading with a companion. Suspension dates: 16.10.20 to the 22.10.20. NAAFER (AUS) may not be presented for re-passing during this period. Assistant Trainer A Ndzilana, acting on behalf of Trainer M F de Kock, was advised. JOCKEY CHANGES: a) NAAFER (AUS) was ridden by Apprentice L J Ferraris. RACE CARD CHANGES / OTHER: a) DEWALI raced equipped with alumites in front and unshod behind (declared 8 October 2020 at 13H28) and equipped with ear muffs (declared 15 October 2020 at 08H06). b) QUEEN OF WAR raced without blinkers (declared 12 October 2020 at 08H09). THE VETERINARY SURGEON REPORTED: a) ELUSIVE JACK coughing. SCRATCHED: a) LAND OF THE BRAVE under suspension (NHA). b) DUET elevated temperature (Trainer) (Rule 53.5 applies). c) KWITE A TRIP sore left hind foot (Trainer) (Rule 53.5 applies). d) NAAFER (AUS) bolted (false start) (NHA). Immediate re-instatement. e) ARISTACHUS bolted (false start) (NHA). Immediate re-instatement. f) SLALOM QUEEN bolted (false start) (NHA). Immediate re-instatement. DISQUALIFIED / DECLARED NON-RUNNER: None.