At the 100m SOMERSET MAUGHAM (R Fourie) changed stride and became momentarily unbalanced when brushed inwards by HAN SOLO (C Habib), which was hanging in and shifted in. After being straightened HAN SOLO (C Habib) continued to shift in slightly and brushed SOMERSET MAUGHAM (R Fourie) shortly before the finish.  Trainer SJ Snaith called a race review regarding this incident, which was followed by an Objection being lodged by Jockey R Fourie, the rider of the 2nd placed horse SOMERSET MAUGHAM against the winner HAN SOLO (C Habib) on the grounds of interference in the latter stages.  The Objection Board, after giving due regard to the evidence put forward, reviewing the patrol films and giving consideration to the margin of 0,05 of a length between the two horses concerned, was of the opinion that but for the interference SOMERSET MAUGHAM would have finished ahead of HAN SOLO had this incident not occurred and therefore upheld the Objection.  Jockey Fourie’s deposit was refunded.

Jockey R Fourie was charged with a contravention of Rule 58.10.2 (read with Guideline M on the use of the crop) in that he misused his crop by striking SOMERSET MAUGHAM more than 12 times in the entire race. Jockey R Fourie signed an admission of guilt and was fined R2500,00. In determining penalty, the Board took into account the distance over and manner in which Jockey R Fourie used his crop, Jockey R Fourie’s recent record, the number of strikes (14) over the permissible level and the value of the race.