For only the second time in South African horseracing history, a horse was scratched from a race for elevated pre-race TC02 levels at Vaal on Wednesday.
The Fabian Habib-trained Miss Hannigan was withdrawn before the running of the second race.
The daughter of Canford Cliffs won her last start at the Vaal as a well supported favourite to win by 6,25 lengths and was again fancied to win yesterday, opening at 5-10.
While reports reached the Sporting Post’s offices late yesterday that there may have been an error on the part of the NHA officials in the process, this appears to have not been the case.
The official Stipes report says that Miss Hannigan’s initial specimen for TCO2 testing was done at 12h32, and revealed a reading of over 35 TCO2 mmol/L. The race was due off at 13h15.
Trainer Fabian Habib was interviewed and advised that, in terms of the Procedure for Total Carbon Dioxide (TCO2) analysis on Raceday, a second blood specimen would be taken, and if this specimen confirmed a level of more than 36.0 mmol/L, the filly would be withdrawn.
During the interval between Races 1 and 2, Trainer Habib was interviewed again and was informed that the second blood specimen had confirmed a level of above the international threshold of 36 mmol/L and that consequently Miss Hannigan was scratched from this race in terms of the provisions of Rules 72.1.23; 4.2.14 and 4.2.18.
The race was won by subsequent favourite Andi’s Girl.
TCO2 testing was introduced in mid-March 2024. Read more here.
