Seventh event of the program, the Prix du Cap Roux was the scene of multiple dramatic events. To return one last time to the stands, a triple fall decimated the event, at which point Day Without Guardwho unfortunately was unable to get up. A protective barrier is placed and the ordeal continues. Alone in the lead at the final halfway point, Messi Blue seems to be heading towards success, but his jockey takes back his mount, just like the horses preceding him. “We were shouted “stop, stop!” confides Chris Poinçot. And track men were waving flags. It seemed obvious that the event was neutralized!” Not for everyone, since Nathanaël Ferreira in the saddle on Jolicoeur resumes the course and crosses the post in the lead, followed by four other competitors, the others being stopped. The finish is posted on the racecourse, but an investigation is immediately launched. “There was no siren or red flag: there was therefore no reason to stop the event”according to Nathanaël Ferreira. An opinion that was not shared by the majority of his colleagues, heard by the stewards after the event who ultimately decided to simply cancel this Prix du Cap Roux. Thomas Roucayrol informed us of this decision: “After reviewing the control films, and interviewing all the jockeys, the stewards decided not to validate the finish under Article 172 – Paragraph 2 of the Code. The entire incident system was respected with a checkered flag indicating danger on the track and a rope was placed to protect the fallen horse. There was no red flag which means that the event is neutralized. However, some jockeys say they heard that they had to stop. Therefore, for the punters and the regularity of the races, the commissioners took the decision to cancel the event following “exceptional circumstances” which disrupted the smooth running of the event. The Company respected the protocol, and if the finish was not validated, that does not mean that there will not be sanctions against certain jockeys.” For their part, certain jockeys highlighted the dangerousness of the obstacle course after a certain hour. Clément Lefebvre thus explains the numerous falls at this point of the course by the light which hides the view of the horses, like the pilots, to return to the stands. An opinion shared by Quentin Jacob: “At this time of the afternoon, we have the sun in our eyes to return to the stands. It’s simple: we see nothing there! For horses it's the same thing, especially since the shadows project calling places on the ground that are not the right ones. As a result, they take their impulse too early and make a mistake. It’s really dangerous for everyone…”
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