SOCCER ANY15 MR 70 HANDICAP (Open)

THE STARTER REPORTED: a) CAPTAIN SEAGER (W Kennedy) lost 1 length. THE STIPENDIARY STEWARDS REPORTED : a) QUEUE WING (J Gates) was hanging in from the 400m. b) NOBLE SNIPER (A Marcus) was hanging in, in the concluding stages. c) Jockey S Veale signed an admission of guilt for a contravention of Rule 58.10.2, read in conjunction with Guideline M, in that he misused his crop by striking the horse PREEMPTIVE STRIKE more than 12 times in the entire race. In assessing penalty, the Board considered the number of times (13) Jockey S Veale struck the horse PREEMPTIVE STRIKE, the distance over which and manner in which he used his crop and his record (3) in relation to this Rule. Accordingly, a penalty of a fine of R1000 was imposed. Jockey S Veale was advised that the frequency of his contraventions with regard to this Rule are unacceptable and should he appear before the Board regarding a similar matter in the near future, a more severe sanction may be imposed. d) Jockey M V'Rensburg elected not to ride TOM BOMBADIL after the manner in which in his opinion, this horse proceeded to the start. Despite this gelding being subjected to a Veterinary examination and not having significant enough findings in order for the Veterinary Surgeon to withdraw TOM BOMBADIL, Jockey M V'Rensburg still elected not to ride TOM BOMBADIL on the grounds that this horse was not striding out. Accordingly, in weighing up the prejudice in this matter, the Board was of the view that, due to the timing and circumstances of Jockey M V'Rensburg's withdrawal, it would have been unfair to have allowed the remainder of the runners to wait at the start whilst another rider was found to replace Jockey M V'Rensburg. Therefore, the Board noted the explanation of Jockey M V'Rensburg and subsequently, withdrew TOM BOMBADIL. Trainer D Moore will be requested to report back to the Stipendiary Board on the condition of this gelding on return to stables. e) NOBLE SNIPER (A Marcus), the winner, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis. Assistant Trainer N Roscoe acting on behalf of Trainer Gareth van Zyl advised (HM). JOCKEY / EQUIPMENT CHANGES : a) BRAZIL NUT raced with a compression mask. RACE CARD CHANGES / OTHER : a) Nil. THE VETERINARY SURGEON REPORTED : a) LOVE ON TIME : Cut into left hind and returned post-race having cast the left hind shoe. SCRATCHINGS : a) PALACE WIND : Sensitive right foot (Trainer - 16.12.21/8h12). Rule 53.5 applies. b) CAPE EAGLE : Reserve runner. c) BOHEMIAN LAD : Reserve runner. d) TOM BOMBADIL : Withdrawn at 15h21 and the betting was 20/1.