Hollywoodbets has made a decision to treat She’s A Klawer as a scratching from race 1 at the Vaal today, after the Chris Jonker filly had literally no chance of competing in the opener at the Vaal today, with her jockey out of the saddle, and a handler holding her bridle as the gates were sprung.
Something of a fractious filly at the stalls, her rider S’manga Khumalo was slightly to the rear and out of the saddle with both of his legs on the sides of the gates, while the handler was holding on to her as the starter made the call-down to the release of the gates.
Unconfirmed information has indicated that Khumalo did not shout a final ‘wait’, and the starter apparently decided to let the field go. The Stipes reports will provide all the information.
She’s A Klawer’s backers effectively never had a run for their money, but she was nevertheless declared to be under starter’s orders by the Stipendiary Stewards.
Race 1 #vaal || SECRET RECIPE (Pomodoro - Katch) has come through to win for M/A Azzie with a great ride by P Strydom, congratulations to winning owners Miss C Soal & Estate Late Mr K Soal as well as winning breeder Estate Late Mr K Soa. pic.twitter.com/aFCJpCnTuo
— 4Racing (@4RacingZA) September 21, 2023
A spokesman for Hollywoodbets said that they felt that it was only fair and sporting to treat the filly as a non-runner without deductions, thereby ensuring a full refund for all of their customers who wagered wins, multiples, places, and other open bets.
Notwithstanding the starting price of the horse at 5/1, which would have resulted in a 20% deduction on a normal scratching, the scratching with no deduction was done so to not prejudice any other winners
