When all goes well in horseracing it is a sport without peer. When it goes wrong it is frustrating, not a human condition that many owners, trainers and or officials, for that matter, can handle without a grimace and expletive.
Scottsville patrons were treated to both on Wednesday as the first race resulted in a punter’s refund while Heartland realised some of his potential in the meeting’s headliner.
It was drama in the first as Muzi Yeni was left standing in the pens when the gates sprung leaving the heavily backed Hour Glass riderless and Duncan Howells cursing.
Alongside Hour Glass, Anton Marcus was quick to pull up on the favourite Pep Squad who was also being difficult in the stalls but heeding a shout of ‘false start’ by the starter. The balance of the field bolted for home.
In subsequent reports to the Stipendiary Stewards, Marcus and Yeni both admitted to hearing starter Paul Hepworth call a false start while the other riders appeared oblivious to the call and continued with the race.
Further investigation showed that the assistant starter had not raised his “all clear” flag to indicate that all was in order behind the gate as both Hour Glass and Pep Squad had not settled and in fact Yeni had removed his feet from the irons and was calling for the starter to wait.
In vain – The High Life (Sean Veale) passed the post first
Hepworth reported that he had not effected the start as he was waiting for the “all clear” flag and was also aware of the two horses playing up in the gate.
However, the ‘starting stalls opened prematurely and by themselves’ according to the preliminary Stipes report and the sudden opening of the gates did not give Hepworth time to sound the ‘false start’ siren.
However, he did shout the instruction heard by both Marcus and Yeni.
In terms of Rule 61.5.13.1, Chief Stipendiary Steward Shaun Parker had no option but to declare the race null and void and all bets were refunded.
Published as an extract – Andrew Harrison on www.goldcircle.co.za
