RACING TODAY MR 96 HANDICAP (Open)

THE STARTER HAD NO REPORTS. THE STIPENDIARY STEWARDS REPORTED: a) All horses selected for TCO2 were within the required levels, and no retests were recorded. b) Leaving the 300m, APACHE SON was steadied momentarily when awkwardly placed between THE PLAYBOY BOMBER and BOUNDLESS LOVE, which rolled in. c) In view of the performance of JORDAN, (distance 10,25 lengths, betting 25/1), the Veterinarian was requested to examine. d) In view of the performance of HOTARUBI, (distance 10,95 lengths, betting 50/1), the Veterinarian was requested to examine. e) Jockey M Michel was charged with a contravention of Rule 58.10.2 (read with Guideline M on the use of the crop) in that she, as the rider of GIMMEACHOICE, misused her crop by striking this gelding more than ten times (11). Jockey M Michel signed an Admission of Guilt, and a fine of R1,800 was imposed. f) Jockey M Yeni was charged with a contravention of Rule 58.10.2 (read with Guideline M on the use of the crop) in that he, as the rider of BEST CANDIDATE, misused his crop by striking this gelding more than ten times (15). Jockey M Yeni signed an Admission of Guilt, and a fine of R9,000 was imposed. g) GIMMEACHOICE, the winner, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis. Trainer J A Soma was advised (MduP). JOCKEY CHANGES: a) APACHE SON was ridden by Jockey J R Syster (declared 10 July 2026 at 15H52). b) GIMMEACHOICE was ridden by Jockey M Michel, who weighed out at 53.5kg, claiming her 1,5kg allowance, and the 1kg overweight remained as declared (declared 11 July 2026 at 10H01). Jockey K de Melo was charged with a contravention of Rule 55.4 in that he failed to weigh out at the correct carded weight on GIMMEACHOICE, or at the higher weight confirmed in his engagement with Trainer J A Soma, thereby necessitating a change of Rider. Jockey K de Melo signed an Admission of Guilt and was fined R1,500. c) BOUNDLESS LOVE: Jockey C Habib weighed out at 53,5kg, 0,5kg over the carded weight. THE VETERINARIAN REPORTED: a) JORDAN not striding out left hind. b) HOTARUBI examined post-race, nothing obvious detected. c) ARIOVISTUS mild post-race distress. d) BEST CANDIDATE abnormal respiratory noise. THERE WERE NO SCRATCHINGS. DISQUALIFIED / DECLARED NON-RUNNER: None. Race 4 contd.