It raised its ugly head in Saturday’s WSB Gr1 Cape Fillies Guineas. Maybe they got that one right.
But the perceived inconsistency of our Stipendiary Stewards has been a hot topic over the past few months. Maybe it always has been.
What has happened to the Virtual Boardroom introduced by the National Horseracing Authority at the beginning of the 2019/20 season?
Billy Jacobson drives Socrates down the inside as Kyle Strydom and Mount Pleasant arrive late (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
When asked for an indication some time ago of use of the facility acquired at great cost, the Sporting Post was given no answers and the ‘exciting advance in Racing Control technology, which is vital to maintaining the highest levels of integrity in the sport of horseracing in Southern Africa’ really does appear to be a white elephant.
The facility apparently enables Officials based at the Head Office to have real-time and review access to the live video patrol footage of any racemeeting countrywide, and to actively participate as members of a Stipendiary Board at the race meeting.
On Monday at Hollywoodbets Greyville, the Stipes were quick on the hooter following Socrates beating Mount Pleasant a short head in the eighth race.
The Stipes – not young Kyle Strydom on the second horse – objected against the winner on the grounds of interference in the closing stages.
Watch the final stages and the head-on, here:
There is no doubt that Socrates came right across from the inside rail looking for company.
Billy didn’t change crop hand – but neither rider stopped riding and it was too late for both to change crop hands, when they met.
The two horses didn’t touch – just over a stride before the line – and the Stipes have apparently acknowledged this.
The Sporting Post has not had site of the official Stipes report yet, but in a short chat with a clearly disappointed jockey Billy Jacobson, the frustration of the inconsistency for a professional sportsman who gets up early most days and doesn’t earn a movie star’s salary, is evident.
“I am obviously disappointed. And I respect that the Stipes have a job to do.This is sport. We win some. We lose some. I acknowledge – and it’s clear for the world to see – that Socrates drifted out. But we never touched, Kyle (Strydom) never took evasive action or stopped riding. I could not believe that the decision went against us. But forget about Socrates’ Owners, Groom, Trainer and the team behind him. Think about the public and all the Owners who keep the game going. I really don’t feel that, what in my opinion are inconsistent decisions like this, are good for racing overall,” said the senior rider.
Please tell us what you think on the SP comments platform.
