An investigation into the riding of MOONLIGHTSTRANGER was conducted by Stipendiary Stewards on Tuesday 18 August 2020, using the NHA’s Virtual Boardroom at Turffontein.
Jockey Julius Mariba and Trainer Zietsman Oosthuizen appeared in the race day boardroom at Fairview Racecourse.
Trainer Oosthuizen was questioned and stated that this gelding is a bleeder, which is the primary reason for this horse needing cover and to race from off the pace.
Jockey Mariba confirmed that these were the instructions given to him but further explained that this gelding had jumped well and he had found himself in a handy position in a race with no early pace.
Although Jockey Mariba didn't encourage the horse forward there was no explicit intent to ride to the trainers instructions and to seek cover and to race from off the pace. In light of this, Jockey Mariba was charged with a contravention of Rule 62.2.9 in that he failed to take all reasonable measures to ensure that he rode to the instructions given to him by Trainer Oosthuizen. A penalty of a warning was imposed. (Really!!!)
In view of the incident documented in the Stipes report as set out below, Trainer Oosthuizen was put on terms that MOONLIGHTSTRANGER’S racing manners were unacceptable and needed to improve, he was advised that should this gelding behave in a similar manner in future races it will be suspended.
This is nonsense and should be called out. There is nothing wrong with that explanation from the jockey. I haven't watched the race, nor do I want to, but a racing fact is you cannot have a plan A and stick to it without using your own racing brain. How many times do you hear a Anton or Striker saying the plan was to sit in behind but he jumped so well I decided to use his pace. I don't see similar inquiries for those. Not saying don't follow the instructions if the situation allows, but the only reason this is getting any attention whatsoever is because this is an unknown jockey. Imagine how this jockey comes across to other owners and trainers watching him if they see this horse jump well and being right up there, and then seeing him pulling the horse to get back in the field.
Thor wrote: This is nonsense and should be called out. There is nothing wrong with that explanation from the jockey. I haven't watched the race, nor do I want to, but a racing fact is you cannot have a plan A and stick to it without using your own racing brain. How many times do you hear a Anton or Striker saying the plan was to sit in behind but he jumped so well I decided to use his pace. I don't see similar inquiries for those. Not saying don't follow the instructions if the situation allows, but the only reason this is getting any attention whatsoever is because this is an unknown jockey. Imagine how this jockey comes across to other owners and trainers watching him if they see this horse jump well and being right up there, and then seeing him pulling the horse to get back in the field.
a) At approximately the 1600m, BILLI ANN (S Devoy) was carried out by MOONLIGHTSTRANGER (J Mariba) which failed to negotiate the turn. This resulted in MOONLIGHTSTRANGER racing wide in the back straight.
Okay. Watched the race. I'd say the horse and Jockey are equally to blame to be fair. Alistair says in the running that he worked hard to get the front which is possibly what started all this. Doesn't look like he works very hard to me, Mariba was a still passenger, fitting with his explanation. Also don't think he offered much assistance when the horse started shifting out, having said that. Not the best ride no doubt, but I don't think many jocks would've done better on that horse..
Thor wrote: Okay. Watched the race. I'd say the horse and Jockey are equally to blame to be fair. Alistair says in the running that he worked hard to get the front which is possibly what started all this. Doesn't look like he works very hard to me, Mariba was a still passenger, fitting with his explanation. Also don't think he offered much assistance when the horse started shifting out, having said that. Not the best ride no doubt, but I don't think many jocks would've done better on that horse..
Its not the instructions but rather the very unprofessional way he rode from jump to tape regardless of where he sits on the log(remember he has ridden quite a few winners for Tarry so he's not a green)
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