Heroes’ Day pandemonium leaves racing abandoned

PANDEMONIUM BROKE out at Caymanas Park yesterday, resulting in abandonment of the Heroes’ Day meet, following a disqualification which levelled the heated jockeys’ title race between Raddesh Roman and Tevin Foster.

With fans of either jockey highly charged following Roman’s four-timer on Sunday, which drew him one winner behind Foster to start the afternoon, all hell broke loose after Samantha Fletcher’s disqualification aboard first-past-the-post TEKAPUNT handed the second event to Roman closing along the rail astride SALUD.

Fletcher’s mount was disqualified for interference caused to third-past-the-post MY SUNSHINE, who, in turn, was promoted to second, whereas SALUD, being awarded the race, tied Roman and Foster on 110 winners apiece.

Aggrieved punters acted out by tossing 45-gallon garbage bins in the winners’ enclosure, as well as blocking the tunnel leading from the saddling ring to the race track, for the start of the third event.

Omar Walker, who was astride MY SUNSHINE with whom TEKAPUNT was involved in a bumping match, was reportedly assailed by objects thrown by upset punters, claiming his actions had triggered Fletcher’s reaction.

After an initial announcement that the third event was abandoned, the day’s meet was officially called off by the stewards, citing safety concerns.

Rule 201 (1), on which the stewards acted to disqualify TEKAPUNT, states: ‘A horse shall be disqualified if he or his rider causes interference or intimidation in any part of the race or, if its rider be found guilty of improper, dangerous, reckless or careless riding, unless the stewards are satisfied that the interference, intimidation or conduct of the rider had no effect on the result of the race or was caused by the fault of some other horse or rider’.