Van der Merwe disqualified one year

Singapore Stewards Press Release

SINGAPORE SEPTEMBER MEETING 2021

SATURDAY, 04 SEPTEMBER 2021



RACE 7 [TF0643]

The Inquiry into the running and handling of FAST AND FEARLESS in Race 7 at the Singapore Turf Club Meeting on Saturday, 04 September 2021 was concluded on Wednesday, 08 September 2021.

After taking evidence from Jockey JP Van Der Merwe (pictured) and Trainer J Peters, the Trainer of FAST AND FEARLESS, Jockey Van Der Merwe was found guilty of a charge under MRA Rule 44(8 ) in that he, as the rider of FAST AND FEARLESS, in Race 7, failed to take all reasonable and permissible measures throughout the race to ensure that his horse was given full opportunity of winning or of obtaining the best possible placing.

The particulars being:

from the 400m until the 150m, he did fail to ride his mount with sufficient vigour and determination when at all times it was reasonable and permissible for him to do so.
When deciding on penalty, the Stewards took into account the serious nature of the charge, his record and his personal circumstances.

Jockey Van Der Merwe was disqualified for a period of one year with immediate effect from Wednesday, 08 September 2021 to Wednesday, 07 September 2022 both dates inclusive in accordance with the provisions of MRA Rule 44(8 )(a). He was advised of his Right of Appeal.

One year, I watched the race and I am shocked 😲

1 year for that?
That's very harsh,seen much worse not only here and no action taken.

Poor guy. Will have to come back to below average racing in SA.

That seems very harsh. That winner was not for catching.

Our stipes in South Africa got no balls..... or they have potatoes for eyeballs.

the punter pays the price and you wonder why racing is in the doldrums.

I might not agree with the 12 months but it was 100% the right call, that was a shocker however in SA it is accepted as normal.

Moved up on the bend with a double handful then started looking for parking, comes out in the straight and when he started encouraging the horse in the last 150m goes from 6th to 2nd.

Santa 🎅 would need 1000’s of Elves 🧝‍♀️ 🧝‍♂️ if the UAE and Asian rules were adhered to in SA 🤪

I have to disagree. Surely the question should be ..if ridden differently would he or could he have beaten the winner? That winner won with a lot in hand so the answer would have to be no. Its a poor decision no question and im sure he would appeal if he has the option. I wonder what the trainer said or wether he threw the jock under the bus? As someone else said there have been far worse rides here. But that's another story.

This type of ride happens regularly here in SA and not a word said. Stipes are right regardless of the outcome, horses MUST be given every chance of thier best possible placing.

MissT wrote:

I have to disagree. Surely the question should be ..if ridden differently would he or could he have beaten the winner? That winner won with a lot in hand so the answer would have to be no. Its a poor decision no question and im sure he would appeal if he has the option. I wonder what the trainer said or wether he threw the jock under the bus? As someone else said there have been far worse rides here. But that's another story.

With respect, this is looking at it with hindsight. Using this argument, all the other jocks should have just sat in the changeroom then.

MissT wrote:

I have to disagree. Surely the question should be ..if ridden differently would he or could he have beaten the winner? That winner won with a lot in hand so the answer would have to be no. Its a poor decision no question and im sure he would appeal if he has the option. I wonder what the trainer said or wether he threw the jock under the bus? As someone else said there have been far worse rides here. But that's another story.

Yes I'm sure he knew the winner was going to skip and win the race easing up, which is why he rode the horse so lightly.
We should next tell all our local jocks to stop riding their mounts when they see a 4kg appy 10 lengths clear at the top of the straight because they should just assume that they will not catch the horse anyway.

On the race itself, I watched it, and I think one could easily debate that this horse had a winning chance if ridden more vigorously, given the way it closed once asked, which clearly was the view taken given the punishment. Not worth a year off though. A rider in the UK stopped riding 100m early because he mistook the finish line and lost the race recently, and only got a few weeks if I remember correctly. Well I guess the jocks know the rules before they choose to go there, so can't really complain now. Our boys seem to be finding a lot of issues in harder policed racing jurisdictions for some reason. I can't imagine why.