While the Kenilworth Saturday Pick 6 pool rocketed to over R6,5 million against a conservative projection of R4 million, the delay of over 22 minutes to the start of the R1,5 million Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate, billed as the race of the season, and the subsequent below-par showing of boom 4yo Hawwaam, left a sour aftertaste for many.
Vardy storms ahead to win the big one (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
A nearby bush-fire and multiple equipment failures were at the root of the delay which did nobody any favours.
We have quoted below from the official Stipes report and really cannot apportion blame in any direction for an unanticipated sequence of issues – unless our readers know better?
TWIST OF FATE cast his left front shoe on his way to the start, which was replaced, causing a delay.
The bridle on DO IT AGAIN broke and had to be replaced.
The bridle on HAWWAAM slipped off and had to be refitted.
The right front shoe on PACK LEADER was cast twice and had to be replaced.
The start was substantially delayed due to TWIST OF FATE (A Domeyer) casting his left front shoe on route to the start, PACK LEADER (M Winnaar) casting his right front shoe on two separate occasions at the start, the bridle of DO IT AGAIN (R Fourie) breaking and having to be replaced at the start, the bridle on HAWWAAM (A Marcus) slipping and having to be refitted and a bush fire in close proximity to Kenilworth Racecourse, which created concerns regarding visibility on the course.
In view of the above report, the bridle of DO IT AGAIN (R Fourie) was inspected by the Board and was found to be of a suitable quality and condition.
In view of the performance of DO IT AGAIN (R Fourie), the veterinary surgeon was requested to examine this gelding.
In view of the performance of SOQRAT (AUS) (C Murray), the veterinary surgeon was requested to examine this colt.
In view of the performance of CROWN TOWERS (AUS) (B Fayd’Herbe), the veterinary surgeon was requested to examine this gelding.
DO IT AGAIN (R Fourie) and HAWWAAM (A Marcus) were difficult to settle in the early and middle stages.
At the 800m, HAWWAAM (A Marcus) shifted out off the heels of RAINBOW BRIDGE (G Lerena).
