JP van der Merwe clinches his treble on First Masterpiece (Oratorio)
JP van der Merwe crossed the line first in four races at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Wednesday, but lost one of them after an upheld objection.
The objection happened when his mount Rattlesnake shifted outward as they approached the line and contact was made with Bluff and Bluff who was finishing strongly on his outside. As the margin was a short-head the stipendiary stewards decided the interference had cost the latter the race.
Van der Merwe made amends in the next race, the last of the day, to clinch his treble on the Patrick Kruyer-trained Oratorio filly First Masterpiece.
Richard Fourie and Ashton Arries had doubles and so did Justin Snaith.
Van der Merwe is now on 48 wins for the season and has achieved it at a strike rate of 14.41%.
Fourie is on 140 wins at 24.56%, 18 behind log leader Zackey, who had one win at Wednesday’s meeting.
Arries is on 11 wins at 10%.
Snaith is on 11 wins at 15.52%.
