Ten owners are believed to be amongst the group of 28 protesters banned for five years from KZN racecourses after last Saturday’s Hollywoodbets Greyville upheaval that led to the abandonment of the balance of the opening SA Champions Season racemeeting.
SAPS were called out after a crowd became unruly in the parade ring (Pic – Sporting Post)
According to mainstream media reports, criminal charges have also been laid in some cases, and the group will also be sued for losses incurred.
The parade ring protest erupted after the fancied Main Defender was scratched from the Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes after failing a TCO2 test.
The testing was introduced in March, and there has been extensive debate about the various factors that can influence the readings.
There also still appears to be some confusion over the ‘revised’ TCO2 testing threshold level of 37.0 mmol/L.
SANTA Chairman Tony Rivalland concluded an agreement with the NHA recently, where it was agreed that despite an international norm of a 36.0 mmol/L threshold level for TCO2, this would be raised one point to 37.0 mmol/L.
After sources informed the Sporting Post that both Gladiatorian and Cousin Casey had tested 37, and were allowed to run in Wednesday’s IOS Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes, two horses were scratched at Fairview on Friday, apparently with readings of 37. We have not yet had sight of the relevant Stipes reports.
A leading trainer contacted the Sporting Post on Friday to express concern that there was some confusion prevailing, and that no official notification had been issued by the racing regulator.
The Sporting Post wrote to NHA CEO Vee Moodley and Racing Executive Arnold Hyde on Friday requesting that a press release be issued to ensure that both stakeholders and the wider betting public be properly informed of the revised state of play.
There has been no response to our enquiry at time of writing.
