The ‘no whip’ races to be held at Greyville and Turffontein this weekend have attracted controversy.
History – Hawwaam won our first no whip race in November 2018 (Pic – Candiese Marnewick)
Generally speaking many jockeys seem to be happy to ride in these races if allowed to carry a stick and show it without it being used.
But they aren’t keen to take part if not allowed to carry a stick at all.
Tabnews reports that a petition regarding Race 11 on Champions Day, the Hands ‘n Heels MR80 Handicap, was handed to Gauteng chief stipendiary steward Lyle Anderson last Saturday.
1st R68125, 2nd R21800, 3rd R10900, 4th R5450, 5th R2725
HANDS ‘N HEELS MR 80 HANDICAP
Open
WFA: 2yrs-11.5kgs 3yrs-2kgs
| 1 | 11 | Diamond Dancer | 61 | 82 | T A | W Kennedy | Paul Peter | |
| 2 | 2 | Arlingtons Revenge | 60 | 84 | A | R Simons | Mike de Kock | |
| 3 | 3 | Dan The Lad | 60 | 80 | A | D L Habib | Paul Matchett | |
| 4 | 9 | Condor Gulch (IRE) | 59.5 | 79 | BA | G Lerena | Mike de Kock | |
| 5 | 8 | Kings Archer | 59.5 | 79 | BA | D De Gouveia | Stuart Pettigrew | |
| 6 | 10 | Hakeem (AUS) | 58.5 | 77 | A | M Yeni | Mike de Kock | |
| 7 | 5 | Bien Venue | 58 | 80 | T A | L Hewitson | Sean Tarry | |
| 8 | 7 | Throng | 57 | 74 | TBA | R Danielson | Sean Tarry | |
| 9 | 6 | Mighty Valdie | 55.5 | 71 | BA | *K Matsunyane -2.5 | Sean Tarry | |
| 10 | 1 | Nimcha | 54 | 72 | A | *D Schwarz | Gary Alexander | |
| 11 | 4 | Aurora Australis | 52 | 64 | A | *L J Ferraris | Sean Tarry | |
| Same Trainer – Not Coupled on Tote | ||||||||
| (2,4,6) (7,8,9,11) | ||||||||
It had been signed by fourteen of the jockeys riding at Turffontein that day.
Racing Control Executive Arnold Hyde responded:
“The no crop races are spectacles that highlight the fact that horse welfare is taken extremely seriously by the NHA. Indeed as from May 10 our whip rules will be tightened so as to only allow twelve strikes.
“Obviously the jockeys are independent contractors, and it’s their decision whether or not to ride, but it’s disappointing they feel that way.
“The race conditions had been published and clearly stated that no whips were to be carried, so that wasn’t going to change.”
Race 1 at Greyville this Friday is a Maiden with no whips allowed, but was subject to something of a boycott from the senior jockeys.
Consequently all are ridden by apprentices.
1st R65625, 2nd R21000, 3rd R10500, 4th R5250, 5th R2625
EDEN ROCK ESTATE MAIDEN PLATE (HANDS ‘N HEELS RACE)
For all Maidens
| 1 | 4 | Jet Lignite | 60 | 66 | A | *A Arries | Alyson Wright | |
| 2 | 7 | What A Blast | 60 | 63 | A | *K Matsunyane -2.5 | Dennis Bosch | |
| 3 | 9 | At The Opera | 60 | 60 | A | *Y Ramzan -4.0 | Michael Roberts | |
| 4 | 8 | Master George | 60 | 59 | A | *J Gates -2.5 | Doug Campbell | |
| 5 | 6 | Stunning Guest | 60 | 38 | A | *N Klink -2.5 | Doug Campbell | |
| 6 | 3 | African Apollo | 60 | 0 | A | *X Jacobs -4.0 | Duncan Howells | |
| 7 | 1 | Lord Caro | 60 | 0 | T A | *D Schwarz | Wendy Whitehead | |
| 8 | 5 | Class Of Eight | 57 | 58 | A | *K Sakayi -1.5 | Wayne Badenhorst | |
| 9 | 2 | Arizona Silk | 56 | 0 | T A | *L J Ferraris | Nathan Kotzen | |
| Same Trainer – Not Coupled on Tote | ||||||||
