■ <B>RACE 1 ? THE MAJOR PROSPECT CUP</B>

As the gates opened, Free Offer reared, fly-jumped, was slow out, losing about three lengths. Judgement Day jumped outwards onto Blushing Moon resulting in the latter shifting out slightly onto Bobby?s Boy which had to be eased. Music Master raced wide from the start to the 1000 metres. At an inquiry into an incident, jockey Venkaya pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 161 (c) in that passing the 1200 metres he carelessly allowed his mount to shift in, resulting in Smuggler being cramped for room and having to be eased and, shortly after, National Lore becoming cramped for room and having to be checked over some distance and lose his position. Jockey Venkaya was suspended from riding in races for one race meeting. When questioned as to the poor performance of Free Offer, trainer L. A. Gallet stated that he expected Free Offer to run a good race as it had been working better at track work as compared to its last run when it had won. He added that this horse usually runs its best races when leading or racing close to the pace and today after having fly-jumped and lost ground at the start, Free Offer never got into the race. Jockey Sooful added that he was disappointed with the run as the horse refused to gallop after missing the start and being caught at the back of the field. A subsequent veterinary examination of the horse revealed no abnormality. From the 300 metres, Free Offer was taken out for a run and made the turn into the final straight very wide. Passing the 100 metres, Chikadee was taken out off the heels of both Judgement Day and Blushing Moon in order to obtain a clear run. Blessed Arabian, which was racing on the outside of Chickadee, was slightly inconvenienced and shifted out. At the same time, Smuggler shifted in, resulting in Play The Field being slightly inconvenienced. Jockey Mahadia (Play The Field) reported that his mount raced off the bridle all the way.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Distinctly Gold, Bobby?s Boy, Judgement Day and Smuggler prior to the race and from Blushing Moon after the race.

■ <B> RACE 2 ? THE MARCEL HAREL CUP</B>

At the start Burn The Bridge was slow out, losing about one length. Paranui jumped inwards and Jet Propelled jumped outwards, taking Dane?s Castle onto Ashton Manor, resulting in the latter being cramped for room. Passing the 1300 metres Burn The Bridge had to be eased over a short distance when Legionnaire shifted in. Jockey Brown was shown the video of the incident and warned to allow more room to horses on his inside before shifting in. Approaching the 600 metres Patriarch, which had a tendency to hang in and been difficult to control, shifted in abruptly resulting in Burn The Bridge having to be eased and lose its position. Jet Propelled (Mahadia), which was following, also had to be eased. Nonetheless, Jockey Jeanpierre was shown the video of the incident and reminded to show care at all times. Both Legionnaire and Golden Days hung out in the final straight. The Club?s Veterinary Surgeon reported that Burn The Bridge suffered a cut to its off hind leg. Trainer G. Rousset was told that this horse will need a veterinary certificate of fitness before being allowed to race again.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Paranui and Jet Propelled prior to the race and from Legionnaire after the race.

■ <B> RACE 3 ? THE SERGE HENRY CUP</B>

At the start, Rob-N-Bob was slow out and Stormy Front half-reared, both losing about one length. Jockey Brown (Steal A Dance) was questioned as to why near the 1300 metres he allowed Ticket To Space to move to the fence in front of him. He explained that as per his instructions, which were confirmed by his trainer, he held back his mount out of the gates as the latter had run poorly at its last start when asked for an effort at the start. Trainer R Gujadhur told the Stewards that he was fully satisfied with his jockey?s ride since the horse was in a winning position for most of the final straight. Near the 300 metres, Steal A Dance which was racing fiercely had to be steadied off the heels of Ticket To Space. When questioned regarding the poor performance of Golden Millenium, jockey Shea stated that the horse was travelling very well until the final straight where it showed no acceleration. Trainer G. Rousset was confident of a good run today since it worked well during the week and was disappointed with the run. A veterinary examination of the horse revealed no abnormality. Upon entering the final straight Ticket To Space was taken out off the heels of Golden Millenium in order to obtain a clear run. When questioned about his handling of Rob-N- Bob over the concluding stages of the race, Jockey Hill explained that since his horse was starting to plod when riding it with the whip in the left hand, he elected to shift his whip to the right hand in an attempt to obtain a final effort from his mount but the latter failed to respond.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Leatherman and Golden Millenium prior to the race and from Ticket To Space prior to and after the race.

■ <B> RACE 4 ? THE SHRIMATI INDIRA GANDHI CUP</B>

At the start Road Rover was slow out and Express Mail jumped with its head up, both losing about one length. Royal Lineage jumped outwards. When questioned about his handling of Ebony over the first 200 metres of the race, Jockey Shea explained that he had been instructed to go for the lead but was unable to do so and elected to settle his mount in midfield after 100 metres. Jockey Shea was told that he is expected to ride his horses closer to the fence when in a position to do so and to ride his horses so as to leave no room for query. Express Mail jumped the crossing at the 400 metres. King?s Oak raced wide throughout and Royal Lineage raced wide on the first turn.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from King?s Oak, Keen To Win, Ebony and Express Mail prior to the race and from Frondeur prior to and after the race.

■ <B> RACE 5 ? THE RAOUL HALBWACHS CUP</B>

At the start Methodical Man jumped outwards, brushing Forest Flag resulting in it becoming cramped for room and having to be eased. Jockey Rama (Methodical Man) made no attempt over some distance to take the horse back in. He was shown the video of the incident and told that in future he is expected to race his mounts closer to the fence when in a position to do so. Over the last 100 metres Methodical Man hung out under pressure.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Methodical Man and Forest Flag prior to the race and from Jumpin Joshua after the race.

<B>RACE 6 ? THE E. MAXIME SAUZIER CUP</B>

At the start Iwe Spiwe slipped, Wise Owl stood flat-footed, both being slow out and losing about one length. Shinealight raced wide throughout. From the 1250 metres, when the pace slowed, Iwe Spiwe started racing fiercely and threw its head up in the air when being settled. At an inquiry into an incident, jockey Herholdt (Misty Gold) was found guilty of a charge under Rule 161 (c) in that approaching the 1000 metres he carelessly allowed his mount to shift in, resulting in Iwe Spiwe having to be eased. Jockey Herholdt was fined Rs 10 000. From the 300 metres Wise Owl was taken out for a clear run and made the turn into the final straight very wide.

Routine urine specimen was taken for analysis from Yankee Bell after the race.

■ <B> RACE 7 ? THE CHEQUERS CUP</B>

At the start Real Schlep jumped outwards, bumping Salute The Star onto Frequent Dance, resulting in the latter being turned sideways and having to be eased. Also, Borzov was cramped for room and had to be checked and lose its position. Jockey Mahadia was shown the video of the incident and told that in future he is expected to race his mounts closer to the fence when in a position to do so. Approaching the 300 metres, Mr. Millionaire, which had been racing fiercely, attempted a run into a narrow gap on the inside of Salute The Star, which shifted in slightly. As a result, Mr. Millionaire had to be checked. Jockey Jupp was shown the video of the incident and told to show care when shifting ground. From the 300 metres, Borzov was taken out for a clear run, made the turn into the final straight wide and hung out badly to the finish.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Mr. Millionaire, Salute The Star, Frequent Dance, Ask The Wind and Ice Flow prior to the race and from Woden after the race.

■ <B> RACE 8 ? THE WING PASSAGE PLATE </B>

At the start, Tsavo stood flatfooted, was slow out losing about two lengths. Shortly after the start, Precision which had jumped outwards was taken back in, brushed Dutori and was taken out by Jockey Boutanive. Passing the 800 metres, Tsavo stumbled and was taken out of the race. A subsequent veterinary examination of this horse revealed that it had lost its off fore shoe during the race and was severely lame on its superficial flexor tendon. After being examined by the Veterinary Surgeon Tsavo was euthanised. Sir Winston raced wide throughout. At an inquiry into an incident, jockey Hill was found guilty of a charge under Rule 161 (c) in that from the 450 metres, he came off the fence and then carelessly forced Masterfax wider onto the heels of Sir Winston causing it to be checked. Jockey Hill was fined Rs 20 000. Approaching the 300 metres, Blue Grass Beau shifted in under pressure resulting in African Epoch having to be eased over one stride. Shortly after, Blue Grass Beau was taken out and Spirit, which was following, was slightly inconvenienced. Shortly after entering the final straight, African Epoch was slightly inconvenienced when Precision shifted in. Jockey Boutanive was shown the video of the incident, issued with a warning and told to make sure he is clear of horses before shifting ground.

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

<B>GENERAL </B>: At an inquiry into an incident, jockey Hill was found guilty of a charge under Rule 53 A (a) in that he behaved in an improper manner by making a threatening gesture towards jockey Boutanive in the parade ring before dismounting after the 8th race. Jockey Hill was fined Rs 5 000.

<B>Alain ROUSSET</B> Chairman of Racing Stewards