SOCCER ANY15 PINNACLE STAKES (For all horses)

THE STARTER REPORTED: a) SAN VERDE (M Yeni) lost 1 length. THE STIPENDIARY STEWARDS REPORTED : a) In the concluding stages, NIMCHA (L Hewitson), FAVOUR (K de Melo) and WEALTHY (A Mgudlwa) had to ease when awkwardly placed on the outside of TWICE GOLDEN (N Patel) which shifted out from the 350m. A race review was called into this incident, which was followed by an objection being lodged : Firstly By Jockey K de Melo on behalf of the fifth placed horse (FAVOUR) against the third placed horse (NIMCHA) on the grounds of interference in the concluding stages. In this regard, Jockey K de Melo alleged that the interference suffered to his horse was caused by NIMCHA (L Hewitson) prior to TWICE GOLDEN (N Patel) shifting out towards NIMCHA (L Hewitson) in the concluding stages. After considering the evidence in this matter, the Board over-ruled this objection. In arriving at this decision, the Board dismissed Jockey K de Melo's allegation regarding NIMCHA (L Hewitson) causing interference to FAVOUR (K de Melo) prior to TWICE GOLDEN's movement and concluded that the source of the interference was in fact TWICE GOLDEN (N Patel). Therefore, the Board over-ruled the objection and allowed the Judge's result to stand. Jockey K de Melo's deposit was refunded :- and Secondly By Assistant Trainer D Alexander acting on behalf of Trainer G Alexander, on behalf of the third placed horse (NIMCHA) against the second placed horse (TWICE GOLDEN) on the grounds of interference in the concluding stages. After considering the evidence in this matter, the Board over-ruled the objection. In arriving at this decision, the Board took into consideration the distance between these horses (0.60 lengths) at the finish and that NIMCHA (L Hewitson) did not appear, in particular from the side on angle, to be finishing its race off strongly enough for the Board to be definitely satisfied that but for the above incident, TWICE GOLDEN (N Patel) would have finished ahead of NIMCHA (L Hewitson). Therefore, it over-ruled the objection and allowed the Judge's result to stand. Mr Alexander's deposit was refunded. An Inquiry will be opened into the above incidents. b) Jockey M Yeni reported that he felt something amiss with SAN VERDE (10.25 lengths) in the running. The Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine. c) Jockey S Moodley reported that he felt something amiss with ANSE LAZIO (17.75 lengths) in the concluding stages. The Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine. Assistant Trainer B Forster acting for Trainer W Nel was advised to report back to the Stipendiary Board should he find anything amiss with this gelding on return to stables. d) Jockey W Kennedy reported that MARCHINGONTOGETHER (4.65 lengths) took no interest in the running. The Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine. e) In view of the performance of APACHE TOO (G Wright) (36.15 lengths, 18/1 in the betting) the Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine. f) BLACKBALL (R Danielson), the winner, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis. Trainer G H van Zyl advised (ML). JOCKEY / EQUIPMENT CHANGES : a) BLACKBALL raced with a cornell collar. RACE CARD CHANGES / OTHER : a) Nil. THE VETERINARY SURGEON REPORTED : a) SAN VERDE : Nothing obvious detected. b) ANSE LAZIO (AUS) : Nothing obvious detected. c) MARCHINGONTOGETHER : Not striding out right hind. d) APACHE TOO : Nothing obvious detected. SCRATCHINGS : a) FLICHITY BY FARR : Elevated temperature (Trainer - 24.12.20/11h41). Rule 53.5 applies.