Sectionals Show See It Again To Be Superior 2000m Horse
The 2026 WSB Cape Town Met run in 123 seconds was the fastest Met since One World’s 122.48 seconds of 2020 and the sectionals showed See It Again to simply be a superior horse (the race record of 122,1 seconds was set by Bunter Barlow in 2001).
See It Again did have some luck in running in terms of finding cover from a wide draw and Andrew Fortune did also have to make one particularly bold move, but the combination of luck and the sublime hands and riding skills of Fortune enabled See It Again to run a highly efficient race.
So, before analysing the 2026 WSB Met sectionals let’s just look briefly at the running order.
Okavango was the early pacemaker before The Equator took it up just as they entered the first turn.
Next best was Legal Counsel and then Native Ruler who was caught wide.
Behind that was Sail The Seas and Eight On Eighteen was on the rail inside of the latter.
See It Again was three wide down the back straight, but fortunately Native Ruler had been kept wide and he was able to follow him.
When Native Ruler managed to get into a two wide position alongside Regal Counsel rounding the turn See It Again looked likely to be caught wide, but instead Fortune made a split second decision to slot in behind Sail The Seas, a bold move that he pulled off, although some would argue that he was not sufficiently clear of Garrix to have been allowed to do it.
The stipendiary stewards did not read the incident like that and they have the best angles and video clarity to view the race.
The probable reason they did not view it as a foul was because after See It Again began making the move Garrix was rousted, possibly with the intention of diving into a position ahead of Cosmic Speed and inside of See It Again, and he cramped Cosmic Speed on his inside before being snatched up to avoid See It Again.
The Stipendiary report simply read: At the 1000m COSMIC SPEED (G Lerena) took an awkward stride when tightened for galloping room between the inside running rail and GARRIX (K de Melo).
Behind Cosmic Speed was Gladatorian, who had jumped slowly and lost a length.
The Real Prince was sitting in last place and Craig Zackey had possibly read it correctly, because the sectionals had been fast.
Using raceform.co.za’s sectional timing method of viewing each sectional as a percentage of the average speed for that section, Okavango did the first sectional in 116% and followed with fast sectionals of 90%, 90% and 91%, which took him to the 1200m mark.
With The Equator in front it slowed down either by accident or design as Okavango’s next three sectionals were 96%, 98% and 96%, which took them to the 600m mark.
If Callan Murray’s role on Okavango had been to set a pace for both See It Again and Eight On Eighteen, who are from the same Snaith yard and under the same Nick Jonsson ownership, then he had done a fine job as he had gone fast enough early to ensure that stamina was going to be one of the chief credentials required in the run in, and he had not gone so fast that any of the others could afford to ignore him and dictate their own pace.
This was unlike the Hollywoodbets Durban July in which they had gone at a crawl, and it had thus favoured a handy horse who stayed well enough but who also had sprinting speed – the requirement on that occasion was a better fit for The Real Prince than it was for Eight On Eighteeen, especially at the weights.
It was also unlike the L’Ormarins King’s Plate in which the pacemaker Dave The King had gone so fast that he and those who had followed him, like Jan Van Goyen and Legal Counsel, were sitting ducks for the class acts in the field.
So the race had set up nicely for See It Again and Eight On Eighteen, because if at their best they were going to stay on and they were ahead of The Real Prince, who was going to also stay on but he was a) not going to have so much in reserve like he did in the July that he was going to be able to outsprint the main opposition b) none of those who were going to see it out had gone too fast, which was what Zackey might have been hoping for by sitting last. It had been panning out well for him until The Equator scuppered it by taking it up and not being able to go fast enough.
The one danger which did come into play for See It Again and Eight On Eighteen was Legal Counsel.
His sectionals in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate from the 1400m onward had been 90, 95, 93, 91, 90, 98, 106, showing that he had gone too fast, yet he had stayed on remarkably well and had finished 4,65 lengths ahead of Jan Van Goyen, who had gone the same pace as him.
If he stayed the Met trip Legal Counsel was going to possibly be a threat from his handy third place in the running.
The runners’ final three sectionals and a comment are shown below:
See It Again 93%, 93%, 99% – Andrew Fortune had given him a sublime ride in the running and was thus able to remain as cool as a cucumber in the straight, steering his mount away from a hanging out Legal Counsel and calmly changing whiphands at about the 200m mark, because he was on a superior horse who was still full of running at the line.
Legal Counsel 95%, 95%, 101% – he has the loping stride of a stayer and was still in the hands at the 400m, but when driven from the 300m he could not match See It Again.
The Real Prince 92%, 93%, 99%. – The Real Prince’s 400m to 200m sectional at 93% is the biggest question of the race. Could he have done it quicker had he not had to switch inward to get around the slowing clump of Eight On Eighteen, Sail The Seas and Okavango. He also had to be patient waiting for a gap to open and it only opened just after the 200m mark.
However, those who believe The Real Prince would have won had he not had the aforementioned traffic problems between the 400m and 200m marks would have to absorb the fact that his final 200m sectional was done at 99%, the same speed as See It Again’s. It would surely have been faster had he been held up severely enough to have affected the result, because it would have effectively given him a breather. See It Again did win with something in hand too and Craig Zackey admitted in a quick interview after the race that The Real Prince had had enough by the final 100m.
Okavango – 95%, 98%, 103% – he was threatening to be swamped but plugged on gamely for fourth. He did benefit from a few horses not seeing out the trip and from one or two being below par or unlucky on the day.
Native Ruler – 95, 96, 103 – being caught wide in the running blunted his finishing speed. He ran a fine race considering how it panned out for him and he might be a big runner in the Hollywoodbets Durban July.
Garrix – 92%, 95%, 103 – made some inroads, but had to go around The Equator and was losing ground to See It Again by then anyway. He probably prefers shorter and has questionable stamina.
Gladatorian – 93, 95, 102 – his finishing speed in three runs at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth has never got close to his career best. He will be glad to soon be home in KZN.
Eight On Eighteen 95, 95, 105 – briefly headed Okavango but was relatively sluggish and way below his best.
Sail The Seas 94, 96, 105 – went for a difficult gap between Okavango and Eight On Eighteen that never fully opened, but he also failed to build up enough momentum and perhaps does not stay. After all, his Cape Derby second was run in a very slow time of 126,20 seconds.
Cosmic Speed 93, 96, 109, was cramped 1000m from home and the jockey said he was never in contention thereafter, but he probably did not stay either.
The Equator got his tongue over the bit and ended up tailed off.
Trust And Golden Palm Head Turffontein's Guineas Day Entries
East Cape heroine Golden Palm is pictured winning the Gr 2 SA Fillies Nursery and will be out to land a second Gr 2 in her second run at Turffontein Standside (JC Photos)
Fields of 13 runners and 15 runners will respectively line up for the Gr 2 TAB Gauteng Guineas and Gr 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas at Turffontein Standside on Saturday.
The Candice and Tammy Dawson-trained Trust is the highest rated Gauteng Guineas entry. The 119-rated Heavenly Blue colt has proved he enjoys the course and distance by winning the Gr 2 Jackpot City Dingaans. He has a magnificent turn of foot and is drawn well in barrier position four, so can put his last disappointing run behind him.
The Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained Vercingetorix colt Splitheeights has fine formlines and will be a big threat from draw five under Raymond Danielson. He beat Trust by 2,50 lengths in the Gr 3 Got The Greenlight Stakes over 1400m last time and will only be 2kg worse off, so is slightly ahead of Trust on paper on that formline.
Tin Pan Alley generally does not have good luck with draws and is drawn wide in eleven, but he is a Gr 2 winner over 1450m and Gr 3 winner over 1400m and was a Gr 1 runner up over this trip as a two-year-old, so he can put his Dingaans run behind him when beaten 8,65 lengths by Trust.
Grand Empire looks to be full of promise and his first defeat in his fourth start came at the hands of the classy Pressonregardless, so he will be a player here from draw six under Craig Zackey.
One Eye On Vegas is on the up and was just 1,30 lengths behind Splittheeights in the Got The Greenlight, but he does have a tough draw of 13. He is by Buffalo Bill Cody and his Fastnet Rock dam’s only win was over this 1600m trip.
Dingaans third-placed All Systems Go raids from the East Cape again.
Those are the six that make the most appeal
In the Gauteng Fillies Guineas Golden Palm seemed headed for big things until unplaced in the Gr 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas, but she can bounce back with Craig Zackey now aboard over a suitable course and distance.
Littlemissmillion is a small filly with a big action and she is improving all the time. She can do well despite a wide draw as she has a fine turn of foot.
Hazy Dazy has caught the eye before and has plenty of scope for progression, but she does have to overcome a wide draw.
Tina Lovelace was runner up to Golden Palm in a Gr 1 over this trip as a two-year-old. She has not shone this season but could bounce back in her first run over 1600m this season.
Warm Reception looks to be on the up and she is proven over the trip so could do well from draw seven.
Elegantrix has proven class but there is a stamina question mark.
Drumnadrochit looks capable of progressing and can’t be ignored, although she does have to reverse a 5,10 length beating by Hazy Dazy in the Gr 3 Fillies Mile.
The full fields are shown below:
Race-7 (Turf) R1 000 000 1600m 15:40 Ref-523
1st R593750, 2nd R190000, 3rd R95000, 4th R47500, 5th R23750, 4RIS R50000
TAB GAUTENG GUINEAS (Grade 2)
For 3 year-olds (1st Leg SA Triple Crown)
No Apprentice / Female Sex Allowance
| 1 | 4 | Trust | 60 | 119 | A | Serino Moodley | Candice / Tammy Dawson | |
| 2 | 11 | Tin Pan Alley | 60 | 117 | T A | Keagan de Melo | Sean Tarry | |
| 3 | 6 | Grand Empire | 60 | 108 | A | Craig Zackey | Sean Tarry | |
| 4 | 3 | All Systems Go | 60 | 106 | A | Calvin Habib | Dean Smith | |
| 5 | 13 | One Eye On Vegas | 60 | 106 | A | Sean Veale | Mike / Mathew de Kock | |
| 6 | 10 | I’m A Fireball | 60 | 105 | A | Callan Murray | Mike / Mathew de Kock | |
| 7 | 9 | Copper Eagle | 60 | 103 | BA | Muzi Yeni | Robyn Klaasen | |
| 8 | 8 | Golden Warrior | 60 | 103 | BA | Kabelo Matsunyane | Alson Ndzilana | |
| 9 | 2 | King Harald | 60 | 102 | A | S’manga Khumalo | Roy Magner | |
| 10 | 7 | Shadowfax | 60 | 102 | HA | Richard Fourie | Sean Tarry | |
| 11 | 1 | Yippee Kiyay | 60 | 101 | A | Ryan Munger | Mike / Mathew de Kock | |
| 12 | 5 | Splittheeights | 60 | 97 | A | Raymond Danielson | Mike / Mathew de Kock | |
| 13 | 12 | Radio Star | 60 | 95 | A | Gavin Lerena | Mike Azzie | |
| Same Trainer | ||||||||
| (2,3,10) (5,6,11,12) | ||||||||
Race-6 (Turf) R750 000 1600m 15:05 Ref-522
1st R445312.5, 2nd R142500, 3rd R71250, 4th R35625, 5th R17812.5, 4RIS R37500
WILGERBOSDRIFT GAUTENG FILLIES GUINEAS (Grade 2)
3yo Fillies (1st Leg Wilgerbosdrift SA Triple Tiara)
No Apprentice / Female Sex Allowance
| 1 | 1 | Golden Palm | 60 | 115 | A | Craig Zackey | Alan Greeff | |
| 2 | 9 | Lowveld Lily | 60 | 109 | A | Callan Murray | Justin Snaith | |
| 3 | 4 | Elegantrix | 60 | 106 | HA | Ryan Munger | Corne Spies | |
| 4 | 5 | Charge It | 60 | 104 | A | Serino Moodley | Alyson Wright | |
| 5 | 12 | Hazy Dazy | 60 | 101 | HA | *Trent Mayhew | Corne Spies | |
| 6 | 7 | Warm Reception | 60 | 100 | A | Muzi Yeni | Candice / Tammy Dawson | |
| 7 | 8 | Daisy Jones | 60 | 99 | T A | S’manga Khumalo | Mike Azzie | |
| 8 | 10 | Littlemissmillion | 60 | 99 | A | Philasande Mxoli | Tyrone Zackey | |
| 9 | 2 | Tina Lovelace | 60 | 97 | A | Malesela Katjedi | Sean Tarry | |
| 10 | 15 | Valentina Balducci | 60 | 97 | A | Gavin Lerena | Robbie Sage | |
| 11 | 14 | Pretty Persuasive | 60 | 93 | A | Keagan de Melo | J A Janse van Vuuren | |
| 12 | 13 | Drumnadrochit | 60 | 91 | BA | Richard Fourie | Mike / Mathew de Kock | |
| 13 | 11 | Merryweather | 60 | 88 | A | Raymond Danielson | J A Janse van Vuuren | |
| 14 | 6 | Amazon Queen | 60 | 81 | CA | Kabelo Matsunyane | Mano Pandaram | |
| 15 | 3 | Frangipani | 60 | 81 | A | Calvin Habib | Robyn Klaasen | |
| Same Trainer | ||||||||
| (3,5) (11,13) | ||||||||
4Racing Announce Raider Incentives For Highveld Racing Season
Mocha Blend was a successful raider from KZN last November, winning the Gr 1 R6 million Betway Summer Cup. (JC Photos)
4Racing has announced a comprehensive Raiding Trainer Incentive Programme to encourage participation from visiting trainers and owners across the Highveld feature race season.
The incentive programme runs from Gauteng Guineas Day and culminates with the Championships Finale on 25 April 2026.
Showpiece Days
The following four race days are recognised as Showpiece Days within the programme:
Guineas Day (7 February 2026)
Classic Day (7 March 2026)
Champions Day (4 April 2026)
Championships Finale (25 April 2026)
These fixtures include pinnacle contests of the Highveld feature race season and will carry enhanced incentive structures.
Standard Raider Incentives
For races on non showpiece meetings conducted from Guineas Day through to the Championships Finale, the following incentives apply to winning raiders:
R10,000 to the Trainer
R10,000 to the Owner
Showpiece Race Day Incentives
For the designated showpiece racemeetings, the connections of winning raiders of races worth less than R500k will be eligible for:
R50,000 to the Trainer
R50,000 to the Owner
For events worth more than R500,000 on showpiece race days, an incentive of R50,000 will apply to the winning trainer.
Transport Subsidies
In addition to the above incentives, transport subsidies will be available, subject to terms and conditions.
Subsidies will apply to runners competing in Grade 1 through to Listed races.
These will be assessed on a province-by-province and case-by-case basis.
Final determinations will be made at the time of entries.
Seasonal Accommodation Support
All raiding trainers will also have the option of complimentary rental accommodation at selected venues, subject to availability, should they elect to base themselves locally for the season through to the Championships Finale.
Additional incentives for owners and trainers are in development and will be released in due course.
Media release by 4Racing on Monday 2 February 2026
See It Again Raised To 130, Double Grand Slam Still 122
Gary Player sharing a moment with his crack filly Double Grand Slam (Picture: Wayne Marks)
PRESS RELEASE
Handicapping Ratings Update
WORLD SPORTS BETTING CAPE TOWN MET (Grade 1)
Following his fluent victory in the Grade 1 World Sports Betting Cape Town Met over 2000m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday, See It Again has had his official merit rating increased from 127 to 130. The Handicappers unanimously elected to use third-place finisher, The Real Prince, as the line horse to assess this race, leaving his rating unchanged on 128.
The following runners also received merit rating increases:
Legal Counsel (2nd): Raised to 128 (from 116) for finishing marginally ahead of the 128-rated The Real Prince at WFA terms.
Okavango: Adjusted to 123 (from 120).
Native Ruler: Adjusted to 123 (from 119).
MAINE CHANCE FARMS MAJORCA STAKES (WFA) (Grade 1)
Double Grand Slam has retained her merit rating of 122 following her victory in the Grade 1 Maine Chance Farms Majorca Stakes (WFA) over 1600m. In assessing the race, the Handicappers identified fourth-place finisher, Gimme What I Want, as the most suitable line horse, leaving her rating unchanged on 112.
There were merit rating increases for two horses:
Rainbow Lorikeet: Raised to 115 (from 113), finishing 1.5 lengths ahead of the 112-rated line horse at WFA terms.
Keukenhof: Received an adjustment, moving up to 108 (from 105).
Three runners received merit rating reductions following this contest:
Mon Petit Cherie: Dropped to 118 (from 120), having failed to confirm her Grade 1 Garden Province adjustment in four subsequent runs.
Scarlet Macaw: Reduced slightly to 107 (from 108).
Fatal Flaw: Rating reduced to 118 (from 120). While the Handicappers acknowledged this specific run was below her best, the reassessment reflects her failure to confirm the 120 peak she achieved in the 2025 Grade 1 Empress Club, as well as the subsequent form of the other runners that competed in that event.
HKJC WORLD POOL POLITICIAN STAKES (Grade 3)
Having shown improvement over his last three starts—moving from a rating of 88 to 109 for his 5th and 6th-place finishes in the Grade 2 Cape Punters Cup and Grade 1 Cape Guineas respectively—Star Major has earned a revised merit rating of 114 following his victory in the Grade 3 HKJC World Pool Politician Stakes over 1800m.
The Handicappers identified runner-up, Happy Verse, as the most appropriate line horse, leaving his rating unchanged on 113. In addition to the winner, Better Man also went up in the ratings, from 100 to 105.
Count Of Rouen received a merit rating reassessment, dropping to 96 (from 100).
WORLD SPORTS BETTING SUMMER FLING STAKES (Grade 3)
Time For Love has had her merit rating adjusted upward to 105 from 102 following her comfortable victory in the World Sports Betting Summer Fling Stakes (Grade 3). The Handicappers were of the view that third-place finisher, Queen Regent, made for the most appropriate line horse, leaving her rating unchanged on 94.
The runner-up, Lavender Bay, was the only other horse to receive an increase in the ratings, moving up to 95 from 90. The following runners received downward adjustments:
Give Me Everything: Dropped to 106 (from 108).
Little Suzie: Reduced to 108 (from 111).
World Of Alice: Lowered to 104 (from 106).
NEW TURF CARRIERS WESTERN CAPE STAYERS (Grade 3)
The official merit rating for Ahead Of The Facts has been adjusted from 97 to 110 following his impressive victory in the New Turf Carriers Western Cape Stayers (Grade 3) over 2800m. The Handicappers were unanimous in their view that runner-up, Navajo Nation, was the most suitable line horse to assess this race, leaving his rating unaltered on 104.
There were no further increases, but a few horses received merit rating reductions:
Master Redoute: Dropped to 113 (from 114).
Magic Verse: Reduced to 115 (from 116).
Triple Time: Lowered to 105 (from 107).
WINDHOEK OLYMPIC DUEL STAKES (Listed)
Babelicious has had her merit rating increased from 100 to 106 following her victory in the Listed Windhoek Olympic Duel Stakes over 1200m. Here, third-place finisher Dame Of Trix was used as the line horse, leaving her rating unchanged on 90.
The runner-up, Princess Of Gaul, also received an increase, moving up to 113 (from 110).
Reductions:
Three horses received merit rating decreases following this race:
Wild Applause: Dropped slightly to 86 (from 87).
Disting: Reduced to 96 (from 99).
Be Merry: Lowered to 104 (from 107).
Enquiries:
The Handicapping Team
Smith Treble On The Poly, Mxothwa Double
Prince Florian, ridden by Yuzae Ramzan, wins the last race over 1300m to give Dean Smith a treble (Pauline Herman Photography)
Dean Smith had a treble on the Fairview poly today (Tuesday) and Luyolo Mxothwa had a double.
Smith is now on 28 wins for the season and is going at a strike rate of 14%.
Mxothwa is now on 42 wins for the season and is doing it at a strike rate of 11.32%.
In the East Cape Trainers Championship Alan Greeff is on 79 wins and has done it at a strike rate of 17.14%.
The late Gavin Smith had had 26 wins in his name in the East Cape this season before the yard was officially put in to Dean’s name and Dean has had 27 wins in the East Cape this season so the Smiths have had a combined total of 53 wins in the East Cape this season and have done it at a strike rate of 12.44%.
The East Cape Jockeys Championship sees Richard Fourie on 52 wins in the East Cape this season at a strike rate of 23.96 and in joint second place on 26 wins is all of Craig Zackey, Muzi Yeni and Luyolo Mxothwa, while Chad Little and Calvin Habib are in joint fifth place on 18 wins apiece.
Viva's Liberte Can Prove His Class
Viva’s Liberte is an exciting prospect and has been tipped to win the 5th race (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Wednesday Formguides And Selections
Race 1
11 SWEET GREEN caught the eye on debut and can go one better. 10 HERO’S JOURNEY nearly won on debut and will be a huge danger to the first choice. 2 PREACHER MAN can improve to get way closer and 12 ONE SPIRIT could be absolutely anything – watch the betting. (Warren Lenferna: 11 – 10 – 2 – 12)
Race 2
4 SWIFT SERENITY can do way better than the last run – her penultimate effort was good and she bumps a shallow field. 7 FAST TRAIN let his backers down last time but if bouncing back to the penultimate run, will go close. 6 DIFFERENT WORLD and 9 MRS SHACKELTON are non-negotiables for the quartet perms. (Warren Lenferna: 4 – 7 – 6 – 9)
Race 3
8 CANTONA nearly won on debut despite going off at huge odds – with natural progression, she should be hard to beat. 1 FLEUR DE VILLE is testing the patience and taking time to win but should do so soon – strong place chance. 10 GALACTUS can improve in this field and place. 2 SECRET TACTIC will not have to be too good to finish in the first four in this. Respect and include. (Warren Lenferna: 8 – 1 – 10 – 2)
Race 4
11 FERRYMAN caught the eye first time out and should have tightened up from the run and experience. If this is the case, he will be hard to beat. Stable companion 7 BOURBON KING has tons of scope to improve on from debut run – place claims. 9 CEDAR POINT has each-way claims and seems to have some ability – big chance. 1 WHATWILLBEWILLBE cannot be ignored – he has a first four chance. (Warren Lenferna: 11 – 7 – 9 – 1)
Race 5
7 VIVA’S LIBERTE has caught the eye and is clearly above average. He is the firm first choice. 6 POMP IT UP has won two from four and is very progressive – can win. 3 NORDIC CHIEF ran an absolute cracker last time when nearly winning and will be competitive again. 4 PLEASE BE TRUE is never far off and has quartet claims. (Warren Lenferna: 7 – 6 – 3 – 4)
Race 6
6 RATTLESNAKE has solid form, nearly won last time and is the first suggestion. 7 MOODY BLUE is another who nearly won last time out and should be right there at the finish – big runner. 8 PARENTAL GUIDANCE gets Richard Fourie’s services and a bright place chance. 9 CATCH A PENNY has run fourth in her last two and can be expected to get way closer – chance. (Warren Lenferna: 6 – 7 – 8 – 9)
Race 7
2 BLACK CHEETAH has ability and is never far off the action. He could be the value here and is therefore the each-way choice. 8 GOLD GIBOSKI boasts good and useful form, and might well be the one they all have to fear the most. 4 EMPIRE STATE ran so well last time, he has to be considered for the shortlist, and 6 THREE TIGERS should be in the first four. (Warren Lenferna: 2 – 8 – 4 – 6)
Race 8
1 BEACH VERSE has solid form and gets the best draw – bright winning chance. 2 BOOZY SUSIE is running well and threatening for the next win. She can go one more. 3 KAMCHATKA and 4 ROSE WOOTT have huge place claims. (Warren Lenferna: 1 – 2 – 3 – 4)
Race 9
4 ALLTHEBOYSIVELOVED ran a much better race last time and could be the lurker and value in this. 9 GIRL LIKE US is holding form and can be given serious each-way claims. 6 RIKKITIKKITAVI can be expected to serve up way better than last time. Place chance. 5 SUPREME FATE is a natural inclusion for the quartet. (Warren Lenferna: 4 – 9 – 6 – 5)
Race 10
11 MONEY EXTRACTOR has a bright chance based on her good penultimate run. 10 MIGHTY MARY now gets the services of Richard Fourie and she can surely do way better than she has in her last two. 6 LA LANDONNE is the place value selection and 7 MEG’S LEGACY can pop up and earn – quartet value. (Warren Lenferna: 11 – 10 – 6 – 7)
Fact To File Ends Galopin Des Champs' Irish Gold Cup Dominance
Fact To File wins the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup (Picture: PA)
Willie Mullins claimed another Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup one-two-three on Monday but favourite Galopin Des Champs was well beaten. Two-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs was bidding for an unprecedented four-timer in the feature chase of the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown.
Today's Question
Why was there a jockey strike in Britain in September 2003?
The picture gives a clue to the answer
FIELDS, Wednesday, 4 February
Today’s Question Answer
- The Core Conflict (2003): In September 2003, British jockeys staged walk-out protests at Leicester and Hamilton against new Jockey Club rules that banned mobile phones in the weighing room. Jockeys argued the ban was “impractical,” making it impossible to manage their business lives, contact family, or speak with trainers.
- Safety and Convenience: Jockeys noted that with high-volume, year-round racing, they need constant access to phones to arrange rides and manage personal lives.
- Integrity Concerns: The ban was introduced following a Panorama documentary alleging corruption and the “Wright Trials” (2000–2001), which showed evidence of information being passed to gamblers from the weighing room.
- The Compromise (2003): The Jockey Club proposed a compromise allowing “phone zones” where jockeys could make calls, but not receive them, and required them to leave phones in pigeonholes.
- Restricted Period: From 30 minutes before the first race until the end of the final race, jockeys must turn off personal phones.
- Phone Zones: Jockeys are not permitted to use personal phones in the changing room. Instead, they must use a designated, secure “phone zone” near the Clerk of the Scales, where calls can be monitored.
