Objections on July day somehow seem to have the power to evoke fascination – or fear if you think you are going to lose – and there were shades of the 2014 Legislate-Wylie Hall controversy in the SABC Gold Vase.

Gold Cup next for Hermoso Mundo

Captain Splendid (61-10), trained by Legislate’s handler Justin Snaith, beat 32-10 favourite Hermoso Mundo from the stable of Wylie Hall’s trainer Weiho Marwing by a short head but only after drifting some six metres off a straight line into the runner-up – and this time it was the stipes who lodged the objection.

The interference looked minimal – but so was the winning margin – and Piere Strydom on Captain Splendid had his whip in his right (ie wrong) hand. He knew that if he put it down he would lose the race. The alternative, which he opted for split-second in the heat of battle, meant the boardroom.

But not only did he lose the race but he was suspended for ten days. Karl Zechner, on the promoted winner, complained: “I was hampered a lot. I had plenty of horse under me and I was just coming there when I was bumped.”

The pair are likely to meet again in the Gold Cup and Marwing fancies his chances of following up, saying: “My horse will be better over the extra distance and he is maturing into a nice sort.”

By Michael Clower