NEXT FAIRVIEW RACEMEETING FRIDAY 25 FEBRUARY CLASSIFIED STAKES (For horses with nett rating of 71 and below)

THE STARTER REPORTED A) TIMKAT was stubborn loading. B) LIVINGSTONE was slow into stride. C) BUMRAH was stubborn loading and rushed the front gate. THE STIPENDIARY STEWARDS REPORTED A) Jockey T M Musekiwa signed an admission of guilt for a contravention of Rule 55.4 (read in conjunction with the Guidelines on overweight) in that he was unable to weigh out at the weight confirmed in his riding engagement to ride LIVINGSTONE for Trainer J V A Strydom. A penalty of a R750 fine was imposed. When assessing the penalty, the Stewards considered the circumstances surrounding the incident. Jockey T M Musekiwa was advised that he is restricted to 56kg with immediate effect until such time that he can prove to the Stewards that he can ride at a lighter weight. B) Jockey L Mxothwa reported that he felt something amiss with ZACPACK ASSASSIN in the running and eased this gelding out of the race from the 500m. The Course Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine. C) In view of the performance of EMPERORS DECREE (R Fourie) (distance 6.40 - betting 5/2) the Course Veterinary Surgeon was requested to examine. D) EMPERORS DECREE (R Fourie) was continually baulked for a clear run from the 400m, and BETHEL (W Agrella) was awkwardly placed and had to steady off the heels of TIMKAT (T Gould) when carried in marginally by PARIS OPERA (K Minnie) which shifted in at the 300m. The Stewards interviewed Jockeys W Agrella, R Fourie and K Minnie regarding these incidents and it was established that EMPERORS DECREE had been disappointed for a clear run on each occasion when an available run had presented itself. Jockey K Minnie was advised that the Stewards considered his riding had been a contributing factor to these incidents, but accepted that the respective movements were marginal and that he should be given the benefit of the doubt, when considering a penalty. He was however advised to take the necessary measures to keep his mounts on a straight course. E) The winner STORM CHASER was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis, Trainer Z Oosthuizen advised (LM). JOCKEY / EQUIPMENT CHANGES A) BETHEL raced equipped with a compression mask and without blinkers (14:29 - 17/02/2022). B) STORM CHASER raced equipped with a compression mask (10:22 - 14/02/2022). C) CURLY TOP raced equipped with a compression mask (10:22 - 14/02/2022). D) SANCTITY raced equipped with a compression mask (10:23 - 14/02/2022). RACE CARD CHANGES / OTHER A) LIVINGSTONE Jockey T M Musekiwa carried 1.5 Kg overweight, weighed out at 57.1 Kgs. THE VETERINARY SURGEON REPORTED A) EMPERORS DECREE nothing obvious detected. B) ZACKPACK ASSASSIN not striding out left fore. C) SANCTITY and MATERFUL cast right fore shoe. D) CHAUMASO brush wound left hind. SCRATCHINGS A) OVATION Stipes permission (African horse sickness outbreak), (08:27 - 17/02/2022).