The twelve strike crop rule introduced by the NHRA in May last year continues to puzzle any regular reader of the daily Stipes reports.
The penalty parameters are unclear and appear to differ from centre to centre.
Gareth Wright – has been warned on crop use (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
Take Gareth Wright’s fine of R3000 for striking Waiting For Change more than 12 times in the Flamboyant Stakes at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Boxing Day.
In determining the penalty, the Stipes ‘considered Wright’s poor recent record in relation to the rule’. Wright was advised that should he appear before the Board for a similar contravention in future, ‘a more severe penalty may be imposed’.
The NHRA need to go back to the drawing board rather and analyse the impact of the exercise. It seems like a lucky dip at the moment.
Read more snippets – click on the image below
