The running of the 2011 Durban July may well pass into history as a particularly unhappy memory for the connections of the horses affected by interference in running. It would appear that quite a large number of owners spent approximately R 30,000 in various entry and nomination fees wastefully if the stipes report is anything to go by.
A lot of opinion has already been expressed regarding the tactics employed by jockey Lerena in the big race and the domino effect that his actions had on other horses . I understand that this matter has still to be finally resolved. One wonders whether we will see a slapped wrist or punishment befitting the importance of the event and severity of the incident.
A perusal of the stipes report on this supposedly premier horserace reveals other startling facts. That a full enquiry is not being conducted into what I shall label the 'Bulsara Affair' is almost beyond belief.
Let's begin with what was recorded by the stipes :
" Jockey B Fayd'herbe the rider of BULSARA weighed out at 55,9kg and was declared out at 0,5 kg over the carded weight of 55kgs."
"Jockey B Fayd'herbe was fined R 1,000 for a contravention of Rule 66.4 in that as the rider of BULSARA he returned to the scale in excess of 1kg over the weight he was declared out at."
This is absolutely astonishing. In the most prestigious race in South Africa a jockey weighs out almost 1 kg overweight and nobody is told the TRUTH if anything at all. By the time he returns to scale he is a further 1kg overweight ! The horse has, therefore, carried either 1,9kg overweight or 1,5 kg overweight if we tamely accept the initial decision to simply wave away ,4 of the ,9 overweight when he weighed out as if it never happened.
So do we now have a Clerk Of Scales who decides when weight is weight and when it is not?
If 1,9 kg overweight was, in fact, the actual overweight carried by Bulsara in the race then it is not unreasonable to apply the generally accepted principle that 1,5 pounds will equate to 1 length over the distance of the July. As the overweight amounted to approximately 4,2 pounds then Bulsara could well have finished 2,8 lengths closer to the winner. Which would have made quite a significant difference to his finishing position and the prize money due to his owners. To say nothing of those punters who backed Bulsara in whatever manner and who have probably been denied the pleasure of seeing their selection perform as they hoped he might.
Given the scope this incident creates for corrupt practise a R1,000 fine should have any number of wannabe race manipulators paying close attention as to how easy and inexpensive it might be to compromise a horse's winning chance whilst attracting almost no attention or retribution.
Based on the above evidence it would appear that the 2011 July result is not an accurate record of how the race should have finished. Add in the horses 'taken out' by jockey Lerena's actions and there is little to celebrate for many of the connections.
Once again the custodians of the integrity of the sport are found wanting. And the band plays on.
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