A dramatic objection was the bitter icing on the cake of a scrappy R150 000 Listed Jet Master Stakes at Kenilworth on Saturday.
Just how seven jockeys managed to stir up so many incidents over 400m is puzzling – but at least the Stipes got this one right, in our book.
Anthony Andrews keeps his head down on Fifty Cents as Grant van Niekerk arrives too late on Horizon (Pic – Wayne Marks)
The official stipes report will make for interesting reading!
Justin Snaith – Jet Master double
Justin Snaith was celebrating a double in the mile support feature, but after Heartland’s gutsy win in 2015, the team had to sweat for ten minutes after they had crossed the line, as jockey Grant van Niekerk on Horizon lodged an objection against Anthony Andrews on Snaith’s Fifty Cents.
Winter Prince had led Captain’s Flame into the turn for home, with Horzion nearer last as the field drifted to the centre outside.
While Van Niekerk had switched out sharply – in the process almost colliding with a tiring Baritone – and gone for a rails run at the 300m – Anthony Andrews had produced Fifty Cents with a sustained effort down the centre.
At the 250m, Fifty Cents lugged out, heading for the outside rail.
Anthony Andrews
Van Niekerk was a few lengths behind him and finding his path blocked, switched in sharply – almost taking Captain’s Flame out on his inside.
With some ground to make up, the luckless Horizon finished full of running but could not catch Fifty Cents, who was a half length ahead.
The winner’s time was 98,54 secs.
The likely deciding factor for the Stipes in reaching a decision to overrule Van Niekerk was that the Bass-Robinson jockey had never stopped riding and had made a conscious decision to switch in at a critical moment.
Brett Crawford’s smart filly Chevauchee held on nicely for third, a further 1,25 lengths back.
Fifty Cents is a 4yo gelded son of Trippi out of the Rambo Dancer mare, Prestine Performer.
A R900 000 Cape Premier Yearling Sale Book 1 graduate, he has won 4 races with 8 places from 12 starts for stakes of R289 750.
Horizon’s performance as a 3yo was full of merit and he should not be long in atoning.
