Just a week after being afforded a welcome measure of discretion by the Fairview Stipes, Jockey Sandile Khathi incurred a fine and a suspension for exceeding the crop limit in consecutive races at the same venue on Friday.
On 24 March, Khathi had ridden a confident race on Cliffie Miller’s Zig Zag, who beat his opposition with ease. That afternoon the Stipes noted that Khathi had eased his mount up from the 50m.
A happy Sandile Khathi wins easily on Zig Zag (Pic – Pauline Herman)
He appeared before the Board, was shown the video footage and was strongly advised that while the Stewards accepted that Zig Zag was winning with something in hand, he still has an obligation to ride his mounts out, at least hands and heels, to the finish.
Watch the replay here:
On Friday 31 March Khathi was charged with a contravention of Rule 58.10.2 (read with Guidelines E & M on the use of the crop) in that he misused his crop by striking the second race runner-up Short Sharp Shock more than 12 times and without giving his mount time to respond.
Khathi signed an admission of guilt and was fined R2000. In determining the penalty, the Board took into account the distance over and manner in which Jockey Khathi used his crop and the number of strikes (14).
In the very next race, Khathi dished out 15 strikes and was charged with a contravention of Rule 58.10.2 (read with Guideline M on the use of the crop) in that he misused his crop by striking third-placed Ready To Fly more than 12 times in the entire race.
Khathi signed an admission of guilt and was suspended for seven (7) days. (Dates 01/04/2023 to 07/04/2023, both dates inclusive). In determining penalty, the Stewards took into account the number of strikes (15) and that this was Jockey S Khathi’s second offence at the race meeting.
Luyolo Mxothwa (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Also at Fairview on Friday, Cape-based Jockey Louis Mxothwa was charged with a contravention of Rule 55.4 in that he failed to weigh out at the carded weight on Warbonnet Creek in the fourth. Mxothwa signed an admission of guilt and was fined R2000.
He was further advised that should the trend of being unable to draw the correct weight continue, the Stewards will consider placing a weight restriction on him.
In a media release published earlier this week, the National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry held in Durban on 26 March 2023, Jockey K de Melo was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.7.
Keagan de Melo (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
The particulars being that whilst riding MEET AT THE GEORGE, he failed to ensure that he did not cause interference to WOODLAND RETREAT (S Moodley) in the concluding stages of Race 4 at Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse on Sunday, 12 March 2023.
Jockey de Melo pleaded guilty and was found guilty of the charge.
The Inquiry Board, after considering the evidence presented, ruled that Jockey de Melo be suspended from riding in races for a period of 7 days.
Jockey de Melo was given the Right of Appeal against the penalty imposed.
Gavin Lerena (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
In a further media release, the National Horseracing Authority confirms that at an Inquiry held in Johannesburg on 28 March 2023, Jockey G Lerena was charged with two contraventions of Rule 62.2.7: –
CHARGE ONE: In that as the rider of CHYAVANA, he failed to ensure that he did not cause interference to HOUSTON (K Matsunyane) when he shifted out at the 300m in Race 8 at Turffontein Racecourse on 18 March 2023.
And
CHARGE TWO: In that as the rider of CHYAVANA, he failed to ensure that he did not cause interference to WHAT A HONEY (R Fourie) when he shifted out in the concluding stages in Race 8 at Turffontein Racecourse on 18 March 2023.
Jockey Lerena pleaded not guilty to both charges but was found guilty of both charge one and charge two.
The Inquiry Board, after considering the mitigating and aggravating factors presented, ruled that Jockey Lerena be suspended from riding in races for a period of seven (7) days in terms of charge one, and be suspended from riding in races for a period of seven (7) days in terms of charge two.
Jockey Lerena was given the Right of Appeal against both the findings and the penalties imposed.
