There were a number of upset punters when the 13-10 favourite in Race 1 at the Vaal on Tuesday, Showdown Kid, was disqualified after weighing in more than 0.5kg below his carded weight.

The race was a Work Riders Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1000m and Showdown Kid, who weighed out at 60kg, got the better of Vars Jy close home and went on to win quite comfortably in the end.

However, when work rider Vusunzi Sithetho weighed back in, it was at 700 grams lower than his carded weight. As a result, the clerk of scales laid an objection, which was upheld, and Showdown Kid was disqualified and placed last.

Arnold Hyde, Racing Control Executive for the National Horseracing Authority, explained the rules governing the incident and the logic behind the disqualification.

“It was established the work rider weighed in at more than 0.5kg below the weight at which he was declared out.

“He weighed out at 60.2kg and was declared out at 60kg, and weighed back in 59.3kg. As a result, the clerk of scales lodged an objection,” said Hyde.

“Viewing the patrol films we cannot see anything dropping from the saddle, so we’ll open an inquiry and get to the bottom of this unfortunate incident.”

Tabnews