An obvious major talking horse in the build-up to Saturday’s Sun Met by virtue of his scintillating prep victories in the Gr2 Green Point Stakes and the Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate, Vardy turned in a disappointing showing and finished some 5,45 lengths off sensational winner One World.
While there were no visible excuses, and something may yet come out of the woodwork when trainer Adam Marcus gives the son of Var a thorough check today, the Stipes did report that approaching the 1700m, Vardy had to check momentarily when awkwardly placed on the heels of Hawwaam.
One World (MJ Byleveld) charges clear of Ryan Moore and Rainbow Bridge (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
The Stipes interviewed Hawwaam’s rider Anton Marcus regarding this incident and provided him with the opportunity to place on record his observations of the incident, following which the incident was reviewed from various angles.
In the end the Stipes ruled this to be a racing incident and took no further action.
Glen Kotzen’s Pack Leader stumbled as the Met start was effected and was slow into stride. He is also reported to have made a respiratory noise.
Jockey Aldo Domeyer, who enjoyed a terrific Gr1 double and victory in the R5 million CTS 1200 on the day, was charged with a contravention of Rule 58.10.2 (read with Guideline M on the use of the crop) in that he struck Vardy’s stablemate and eventual fourth placed Twist Of Fate more than 12 times in the entire race. He signed an admission of guilt and was fined R 1000. Twist Of Fate grossed R150 000.
The twelve-strike crop rule and the manner in which the quantum of the penalties are applied aree still of some puzzle.
Sean Veale was charged with a contravention of the same rule on CTS 1200 runner-up Cartel Captain and signed an admission of guilt for a fine of R 1500.
In the CTS 1600, jockey Richard Fourie was charged with a contravention of the crop rule in that he struck runner-up Sachdev more than 12 times in the entire race. Fourie signed an admission of guilt and was also fined R 1500.
The second cheque in both sales races is a gross R1 million.
Jockey Bernard Fayd’herbe picked up two crop sanctions on the afternoon for the same rule. His second offence picked up a lesser fine than the second.
He signed an admission of guilt for his ride on fifth placed Strathdon in the Gr2 Cape Stayers and was fined R 2000. Apparently, in deciding on a penalty, the Stipes took into account the manner in which the crop was used and the amount of strikes above the permissible level.
Fayd’Herbe was cited again in the eleventh race for striking second placed Halliberry more than 12 times in the entire race and signed an admission of guilt and was fined R 1000. Halliberry earned a gross R14 000 and it was Fayd’herbe’s second offence on the day.
Work it out – if you can.
