Les turfistes ne verront plus Gypsey Rover en piste. Ce fils de Centenary a été mis à la retraite après sa décevante course de rentrée 2006 dans Le Defi Media Group Challenge Cup avec Emamdee en selle. Le cheval a très mal pris sa dernière course et d’un commun accord avec toutes les parties concernées, son propriétaire, François du Mée, a décidé de lui accorder sa retraite.

Âgé de sept ans, Gypsey Rover a remporté dix courses sur le turf mauricien, toutes sous la selle de Jeffrey LLoyd, passant de la C7 à l’élite. Gypsey Rover, il faut le souligner, est un des rares chevaux à avoir autant progressé au Champ-de-Mars lors de ces dix dernières années.

Par ailleurs, François Du Mée vient de procéder à l’acquisition du demi-frère de Gypsey Rover, Secret Deed. Pourra-t-il émuler Gypsey Rover ? L’avenir nous le dira.

<B>Enquêtes des commissaires de courses

Rs 10 000 d’amende à Bussunt</B>

L’apprenti Sunil Bussunt a été sanctionné hier matin. Une amende de Rs 10 000 lui a été infligée pour sa monte sur Golden Days, coursier de l’écurie Raj Ramdin. C’est pour avoir causé une interférence peu après le départ de la huitième course, dotée du Verdot Plate, que Bussunt a été sanctionné. Dans la foulée de cette interférence, la monture de Bussunt a gêné Who’s Pretending, qui était piloté par Samraj Mahadia. Sunil Bussunt a été inculpé sous le règlement 161 (c) pour careless riding. Il a plaidé coupable mais peut faire appel de cette sanction.

Après le verdict, Sunil Bussunt a demandé aux commissaires de courses de commuer son amende en une suspension d’une semaine. L’équipe du Chief Stipe Alain Rousset lui a alors expliqué que sa demande doit être addressée aux commissaires administratifs.

Par ailleurs, les commissaires de courses ont aussi interrogé l’entraîneur Rameshwar Gujadhur sur les instructions données à son jockey Vinay Naiko sur Credit Line, engagé dans la première course. Rameshwar Gujadhur a déclaré qu’il avait demandé à son jockey de prendre le commandement de la course à l’ouverture des boîtes vu qu’il avait déjà remporté une course de bout en bout en Afrique du Sud. Il a aussi fait ressortir qu’étant donné qu’Arabian Prophesy, le coursier de l’écurie Perdrau, avait tiré une ligne extérieure, la septième, et que Cedar Falls de l’écurie Fok portait un lourd handicap de 59.5 kg, il avait demandé à son jockey de take the lead le plus vite possible pour mener la vie dure à ces deux chevaux qu’il considérait comme ses plus sérieux adversaires.

Après avoir visionné le film de la course, les Racing Stewards ont été satisfaits des explications données par l’entraîneur Rameshwar Gujadhur. Ils lui ont toutefois demandé de leur faire part de tout changement de tactique à l’avenir, étant donné que Credit Line a toujours couru de l’arrière à Maurice. Pour rappel, Credit Line avait terminé bon dernier derrière Precision à 10.20 L.

<B>Racing stewards’ report</B>

<B> RACE 1 – THE LORD DUFFERIN CUP</B>

At the start Man’s Man, which had its head slightly turned to the left, was about half a length slow and Cedar Falls jumped outwards and Precision jumped inwards, resulting in Man’s Man becoming slightly cramped for room. At an inquiry into an incident, jockey Mahadia (Cedar Falls) pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 161 (c) in that passing the 1300 metres he carelessly allowed his mount to shift in resulting in Blessed Arabian having to be eased. He was fined Rs.10,000. Cedar Falls was held up for a run on the fence from the 400 to the 300 metres where it was taken 3-wide to obtain a clear run. Arabian Prophesy raced wide on the first turn. Near the 250 metres Blessed Arabian had to be eased off the heels of National Trade and taken out in order to obtain a clear run. At an inquiry, jockey Teeha pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 158 (5) in that he failed to ride National Trade out to the finish, thus not giving it the best chance to finish 4th. He was fined Rs.5,000. At an inquiry into the tactics employed on horse Credit Line, Trainer R. Gujadhur explained that since the horse had led and won in South Africa, and given the draw and the weight of his opponents and the relatively light weight of his horse, he instructed his Jockey to make use of his horse at the start to try and lead. Mr Gujadhur was told that in all its previous races in Mauritius, Credit Line had never raced in the lead or close to the lead. Consequently, the Racing Stewards were of the opinion that in this case there was a change in well-established tactics. Mr R. Gujadhur was told that in future he must inform the Racing Stewards of any change in well- established tactics. Jockey Naiko was reminded of his obligation to inform the Racing Stewards whenever he receives racing instructions which do not correspond to a horse’s usual racing pattern.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Precision prior to and after the race.

<B> RACE 2 – THE RAOUL CORSON CUP</B>

At the start, Super Edge jumped inwards and Vampire Jet jumped outwards resulting in Swoon being slightly cramped for room. Rebus raced fiercely from the 1200 to the 600 metres and raced wide on the first turn. Passing the 900 metres, when the pace slowed, Dick Dastardly started racing fiercely off the heels of Gold Guild and when settled threw its head up over some distance. In the final straight Promise Keeper hung in badly and was difficult to be properly assisted. At an inquiry, jockey Venkaya (Super Edge) was found guilty under Rule 161 (f) in that from passing the 400 metres he, without good cause, made no attempt to take his mount to the inside when in a position to do so thus not riding to the satisfaction of the Stewards. He was suspended from riding in races for one race meeting. Approaching the 300 metres, Market Research was held up for a run until shortly before entering the final straight. Passing the 300 metres, Promise Keeper was taken out for a clear run resulting in Vampire Jet having to be eased slightly. Jockey Rawa was shown the video of the incident and told to exercise care when shifting ground.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Promise Keeper prior to the race and from Vampire Jet prior to and after the race.

<B> RACE 3 – THE DR. JOCELYN MAINGARD CUP</B>

At an inquiry into an incident, jockey Jago (Borzov) pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 161 (c) in that near the 1300 metres he carelessly allowed his mount to shift in, resulting in Go Spook having to be checked and taken in, and Mr. Millionaire, which was following, becoming cramped for room, hitting the running rail and having to be checked badly. Jockey Jago was fined Rs.20,000. Approaching the 1000 metres, Go Spook, which was racing fiercely had to be eased off the heels of Borzov. Peruzzi, which was following, also had to be checked and taken out and, when taken back in, caused Mr Millionaire to be eased. Over the final 100 metres Blue Bush hung in badly, and was unable to be properly assisted. Over the concluding stages, Mr Millionaire was slightly inconvenienced by Borzov which had shifted out away from the whip. Jockey Naiko (Go Spook) reported that his mount raced greenly and pulled very hard during the race.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Mr. Millionaire prior to the race and from Jerico prior to and after the race.

<B> RACE 4 – THE EUGENE ROUSSET CUP</B>

At the start, Woden, which was leaning on the right side of the gate, jumped inwards and Greek Flag jumped outwards, resulting in both horses coming into contact. Jockey Daby reported that Regal Rusty had a tendency to hang in from the 600 metres and approaching the 300 metres brushed the running rail over some distance. Passing the 300 metres Ask The Wind was slightly inconvenienced when Woden, which was improving on its outside, shifted in slightly. Jockey Mahadia was shown the video of the incident and told to exercise care at all times. Matthew’s Own hung out over the last 100 metres.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Greek Flag prior to the race and from Matthew’s Own prior to and after the race.

<B> RACE 5 – THE SIR ANDRE NAIRAC CUP</B>

At the start Flavius jumped inwards and Hector, which was slightly slow, also jumped inwards and had to be eased off the heels of Halidom. Near the 400 metres, when taken out for a run, Hector (S.Rama) carried Clifton King wide. Jockey Rama was shown the video of the incident and told to exercise more care when shifting ground.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Clifton King and Chief Warrior prior to the race and from Halidom after the race.

<B>RACE 6 – THE SIR DONALD MACKENZIE KENNEDY CUP</B>

At the start, Ebony jumped inwards brushing the right side of the gate, resulting in Jockey Teeha injuring his right foot and having to be stood down for the remainder of the day. Grand Duke jumped inwards and Brad My Lad jumped outwards, both horses coming into contact. President Bill raced wide on the final turn. Upon entering the final straight, Old Trafford was taken out off the heels of Road Rover in order to obtain a clear run.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Old Trafford prior to the race and from Grand Duke after the race.

<B> RACE 7 – THE SIR BEDE CLIFFORD CUP</B>

Jockey Rama replaced jockey Teeha on Rambo Hawk. At the start Little Gee half reared and Play The Field jumped outwards both being slow out and losing about one length. Distinctly Gold was held up for a run from the 350 to the 250 metres. An objection was lodged by jockey Rama, rider of Rambo Hawk, which finished 3rd, against Rue Royale (P.Whitmore), which finished 2nd and against Little Gee (Y. Emamdee), being declared the winner alleging interference in the final straight. After taking evidence from the riders and trainers concerned and viewing the relevant videos, the objection against Little Gee was dismissed and the one against Rue Royale was upheld, the placings altered to read: 1st: Little Gee, 2nd: Rambo Hawk, 3rd: Rue Royale. At the start Little Gee reared, losing about one length. Approaching the 1500 metres Rambo Hawk shifted in slightly brushing Rue Royale and when taken back out bumped Distinctly Gold which had shifted in. At an inquiry into an incident, jockey Whitmore (Rue Royale) pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 161 (c) in that over the concluding stages he carelessly allowed his horse to shift out, thus cramping Rambo Hawk, resulting in the latter having to be checked. He was fined Rs.10,000. Play The Field hung in badly in the final straight and proved very difficult to be properly assisted.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Imperial Crown prior to the race and from Little Gee after the race.

<B>RACE 8 – THE VERDOT PLATE</B>

Jockey Rama replaced jockey Teeha on Gandolf. At the start French Lightning jumped outwards onto Harbour Bridge, resulting in the latter having to be checked. Scissors was slow out and when being settled threw its head up over some distance. Shortly after the start, Foxies Chord was cramped for room and had to be eased slightly when Golden Days which had jumped inwards continued on an inward movement. At an inquiry into an incident, Apprentice Bussunt (Golden Days) pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 161 (c) in that approaching the 1500 metres, he carelessly allowed his mount to shift in resulting in Who’s Pretending which was racing on his inside having to be eased over four strides. He was fined Rs.10,000. Passing the 900 metres, when the pace slowed, Who’s Pretending and Kevin started racing fiercely with the latter throwing its head up when being settled. Approaching the 800 metres, Who’s Pretending had to be taken out off the heels of Gandolf. Approaching the 100 metres, Golden Days shifted out under pressure and had to be straightened and Gandolf, which was following, was slightly inconvenienced.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Golden Days, Golden Rambo, Who’s Pretending and Foxies Chord prior to the race and from Kevin after the race.

<B>Alain Rousset

Chairman of Racing Stewards</B>

<B>Herholdt retourne chez l’écurie Fok</B>

Écarté au profit de Jedeon Sampson au début de la saison, François Herholdt retrouve la place qui est la sienne chez l’écurie Fok. La demande de celle-ci pour signer à nouveau le jockey champion de 2001 a été approuvée par le MTC hier. Il vient remplacer Mahadia.

<B>Bekker n’obtient pas le feu vert du MTC</B>

Johannes Bekker n’effectuera pas son come-back chez l’écurie Rousset, laquelle l’avait remercié il y a deux semaines. Hier, le MTC s’est montré ferme dans sa décision et a refusé d’accorder le feu vert à l’écurie Rousset pour retenir à nouveau les services du cavalier sud-africain.