It is never nice to see one of those “celebrated too early” videos in horseracing because it is not only the loss of likely victory that is going to plague the jockey, but he could also land a lengthy suspension.
However, those who backed the horse would be less sympathetic, not to mention the owner and trainer, who in Saturday’s case could have each been cost R50,000 cheques respectively on top of the winning stakes money.
Joshwin Solomons rode a front-running race which could have been described as perfect for 1590m in the Listed Gordon’s Gin Jet Master Stakes, but he clearly eased his mount Quasiforsure a good ten metres from the line because he had either misjudged where the finish line was or not noticed the Justin Snaith-trained Pacaya’s flying finish under JP van der Merwe.
Solomons will be in good company with those who have committed such an error.
All of Piere Strydom, S’Manga Khumalo and Kevin Shea have been guilty of the same offense this millennium i.e. not riding the horse out to the line and costing the horse probable victory.
Nevertheless, it was a fine performance by the four-year-old Trippi gelding Pacaya, especially considering he was continuously baulked for a run in the straight.
Pacaya disappointed as a three-year-old after showing promise early on.
However, he has now bounced back and despite only being merit rated 98 before Saturday’s race and carrying only 51kg, somebody believes him to be a Hollywoodbets Durban July horse because he is now at 16/1 in the ante-post betting with the sponsor.
