■ <B> RACE 1 – THE MERRY MAJOR PLATE</B>

At the start Red Leonard and Sparkling Lad were slow out, both losing about one length. Who’s Pretending jumped outwards. Shortly after the start, Sunsat started racing fiercely and was slightly inconvenienced when racing between Harbour Bridge and French Lightning. Gandolf raced wide from the start to the 1500 metres. From the 400 metres, when asked for an effort, Gandolf had a tendency to hang out. Shortly before entering the final straight, French Lightning was taken out off the heels of Imperial Crown and Sunsat, which was following, was inconvenienced. Jockey Rawa was shown the video of the incident and told to show care when shifting ground. Over the concluding stages Got The Pace shifted out resulting in Sunsat which was following having to be eased at the winning post. Jockey Rama (Got The Pace) was told to ride all his mounts with vigour to the finish.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Imperial Crown and Gandolf prior to the race and from Got The Pace prior to and after the race.

■ <B>RACE 2 – THE STRIDENT CUP</B>

At the start Twoicee jumped inwards and Bite The Bullet jumped outwards, resulting in Red Rooney and Catullus being cramped for room and the latter having to be eased. From the 1100 metres National Express raced fiercely, throwing its head up from time to time when being eased off the heels of St. Nicholas. Near the 200 metres Bite The Bullet had to be taken in off the heels of Twoicee. Passing the 300 metres National Express was inconvenienced off the heels of St. Nicholas and had to be eased over a couple of strides. Upon entering the final straight, Twoicee when attempting a run in between Major League and Catullus, brushed the latter and over the last 50 metres jockey Joorawon allowed his mount to shift out, resulting in Catullus having to be eased at the winning post. Jockey Joorawon was shown the video of the incident and told to straighten his mount when it shifts ground. Joystick raced wide throughout and Bite The Bullet raced wide on the final turn.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from St. Nicholas and Red Rooney prior to the race and from Peruzzi after the race.

■ <B>RACE 3 – THE J. EDOUARD BRUNEL CUP</B>

At the start Extreme Force jumped with its head up. From the 400 metres, Playing Possum, which was taken out for a run, raced wide from then on and made the turn into the final straight wide. Near the 200 metres Kings Arms was momentarily held up for a run. Jockey Sooful reported that Desert Dance was not striding out during the race. A subsequent veterinary examination of the horse revealed no abnormality.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Playing Possum prior to the race and from Noble Dancer after the race.

■ <B>RACE 4 – THE WINNER’S CHALLENGE CUP</B>

At the start President Bill was slow out, losing about one length. Command Centre jumped outwards and had to be eased off the heels of Chopipe. Jockey Jupp reported that Command Centre did not respond to his urgings and probably did not like the state of the track. From the 1200 metres Glenever, which was racing fiercely, raced wide on the first turn and threw its head up on a number of occasions when being settled. When questioned about his ride in the final straight, jockey Shea stated that he had not wanted to lead on the horse, resulting in it being too keen throughout and in the first part of the straight he rode it strongly hands and heels since his horse was responding well to his urgings and over the last 100 metres, when being challenged, he rode it with the whip but the horse failed to quicken. The Club’s Veterinary Surgeon reported that Emjaybee lost its near fore shoe in running.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Command Centre, Jerico and Horn Bean prior to the race and from Chopipe after the race.

■ <B>RACE 5 – THE BLYTH CENTENARY CUP</B>

At the start Young Warrior stood flat-footed and Germany On reared, both were slow out, losing about one and two lengths respectively. Approaching the 1300 metres Young Warrior, when being eased off the heels of Cherry Bite, threw its head up and shifted out off the heels of Cherry Bite, resulting in World Focus, which was following, having to be eased and taken out. At an inquiry into an incident, jockey Boutanive 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 Cherry Bite having to be eased. He was fined Rs.10,000. Passing the 1200 metres, Germany On which was racing fiercely, was taken out and brushed World Focus.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from World Focus and Joey’s Boy prior to the race and from Fashion Editor after the race.

■ <B> RACE 6 – THE CYRILLE DE LABAUVE D’ARIFAT CUP</B>

Shortly after the start Splendid Man shifted in slightly, resulting in Rambo Royale being slightly cramped for room, shifting in and brushing War Council. Passing the 300 metres War Council was taken out off the heels of Halidom in order to obtain a clear run. Over the concluding stages, Mister Assembly had a tendency to hang out and had to be straightened. Jockey Shea (Rambo Royale) reported that his mount did not act in the rain affected going. Jockey Herholdt reported that Mister Assembly changed legs throughout the race. A subsequent veterinary examination of the horse revealed no abnormality.

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

■ <B>RACE 7 – THE PROFESSOR HASSAN RAFFA CUP</B>

Due to the rain affected conditions, trainer S. Ramdin was granted permission to remove the pacifiers from Kaleidoscope. At the start Te Atatu half-reared, was slow out, losing about two lengths. Kaleidoscope was slow out, losing about one length. Near the 1600 metres, Rambo Rouge, which was racing fiercely, threw its head up over some distance when being settled. Jockey Herholdt (Rambo Rouge) reported that his mount raced fiercely throughout the race. Approaching the 1500 metres, Te Atatu clipped the heels of St Austell and stumbled. Passing the 1100 metres St. Austell, which was racing fiercely, clipped the heels of Rambo Rouge and stumbled badly. Near the 300 metres, Rambo Rouge was inconvenienced by Land Bank which shifted in slightly under pressure and was taken out. Shortly after, Rambo Rouge was again inconvenienced when Land Bank, after being straightened, shifted out. Jockey Jupp (Land Bank) reported that his mount did not take much interest in the race and did not like the rain affected going.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Uncle Louis prior to the race and from Greek Flag prior to and after the race.

■ <B>RACE 8 – THE NOBLE CHIEFTAIN PLATE </B>

The Club’s Veterinary Surgeon reported that Fleeting Moment was lame on the near fore leg. Subsequently, the horse was withdrawn at 3.15 p.m. today. As a result, all bets on this horse were ordered to be refunded and betting with bookmakers was re-opened. Trainer R. Gujadhur was advised that Fleeting Moment will need a veterinary certificate of fitness before being allowed to race again. At the start Sabre Force was slow out, losing about three lengths. Peters Crown raced fiercely from the 1200 to the 600 metres. Approaching the 1200 metres, Super Edge, when being steadied to be taken to the fence, threw its head up over some distance. Approaching the 1100 metres, when the pace slowed, Super Edge started racing fiercely, was eased off the heels of Peters Crown, throwing its head up over some distance. Shortly after the 400 metres Be A Sport was held up for a run and had to be taken out off the heels of Peters Crown, Super Edge and Mythical Man in order to obtain a clear run. Jockey Shea (Pigeon Post) reported that his mount did not act in the rain affected going. The Club’s Veterinary Surgeon reported that Peters Crown bled from both nostrils. In view of this report and, acting under Rule 166 (2) (c), trainer S. Henry was advised that Peters Crown has been suspended for one month and will need a veterinary clearance before being allowed to race again.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Pigeon Post and National Trust prior to the race.

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