■ <B>RACE 1 ? THE SAMAN PLATE</B>

At the start Rodin was slow out, losing about one length. Tamarin Falls jumped outwards and Distinctly Gold jumped inwards, resulting in Rodin becoming cramped for room and having to be eased. Imperial Crown jumped outwards, brushing Championchallange. Shortly after, Imperial Crown was taken in and Pigeon Post, on its inside, clipped its heels and stumbled. Near the 1350 metres Imperial Crown was again taken in, brushed Rodin and was taken out, resulting in Championchallange and Midnight Mint being taken out. The Stewards have recommended to the Licencing Committee that apprentice Ramburn?s licence be suspended for one race reserved for Mauritian riders and that his future riding be closely monitored. Approaching the 1300 metres Distinctly Gold shifted out abruptly, was difficult to control and was pulled out of the race. When questioned, jockey Boutanive stated that the horse is very temperamental and proved difficult to control. Trainer S. Ramdour was of the opinion that the horse needed a spell. In the light of its behaviour, the Racing Stewards decided to suspend Distinctly Gold for the remainder of the season. Near the 450 metres, Smuggler was taken out off the heels of Midnight Mint for a clear run and raced wide from there onwards. Passing the 350 metres Rodin, which was tiring, shifted out and New Recruit, on its outside, was cramped for room, inconvenienced and shifted in, taking Rodin back in. In so doing, Green Zappa, which was attempting a run into a narrow gap on the inside of Rodin, became badly cramped for room and had to be checked. Championchallange raced wide throughout. Jockey Sooful reported that Midnight Mint hung out badly and proved difficult to control, thus raced wide throughout. A veterinary examination of the horse revealed no abnormality. The Veterinary Surgeon reported that Rodin was found to be suffering from heat exhaustion after the race. In view of this, trainer Ramapatee Gujadhur was informed that this horse will need a veterinary certificate of fitness before being allowed to race again.

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

■ <B>RACE 2 ? THE BOTANIQUE CUP</B>

At the start Slivovitz threw its head up, was slow out, losing about two lengths. Nyathi was slow out, shifted out, brushing Mr Millionaire. Bang On Time jumped inwards, brushing Red Rooney. Passing the 400 metres Nyathi, which was racing fiercely, had to be eased off the heels of Rob-N -Bob. Approaching the 300 metres Red Rooney and Mr Millionaire were taken out off the heels of Marrakesh and raced wide from there onwards. Over the final 50 metres Jamieson Bay was taken in off the heels of Judge Boesman in order to obtain a clear run. The Club?s Veterinary Surgeon reported that Red Rooney was lame on the near fore leg. In view of this, trainer H. Maigrot was advised that this horse will need a veterinary certificate of soundness before being allowed to race again. At an inquiry into the riding of Judge Boesman, jockey Herholdt was found guilty under Rule 161 (f) in that at the start, having urged his mount to lead over the first 200 metres and once in the lead, he kept urging it uphill and, although leading by a comfortable margin near the 450 metres, he again urged it prematurely. Jockey Herholdt was suspended from riding in races for four race meetings, that is until the 12th of November, and fined Rs 50,000.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Bang On Time, Rob-N-Bob and Red Rooney prior to the race and from Imperious Caesour after the race.

■ <B> RACE 3 ? THE LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL CUP</B>

At the start Borzov and Little Gee half-reared, both being slow out and losing about one length. Cross Patch jumped inwards, brushing Express Mail. From the 1300 to the 600 metres Cross Patch, Just Wonder and Greek Flag raced fiercely, throwing their heads up in the air. Promise Keeper and Borzov had a tendency to hang out in the final straight and could not be properly assisted.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Greek Flag, Moyenne and Express Mail prior to the race and from Promise Keeper after the race.

■ <B>RACE 4 ? THE RAJCOOMAR GUJADHUR CUP</B>

At the start, Tincture was slow out losing about one length and Oisin Breeze jumped inwards, brushing Orace Barfoot. At an inquiry into an incident, jockey Joorawon (Nautilus) pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 161 (c) in that in the final straight, he carelessly allowed his mount to shift in, resulting in Kestrel racing on his inside being taken in onto Orace Barfoot, with the latter becoming cramped for room near the 100 metres and eventually having to be eased. Jockey Joorawon was fined Rs 10,000. Approaching the 300 metres Oisin Breeze was taken out for a run and raced wide from there onwards and over the final 100 metres, hung in despite jockey?s Naiko?s attempt to straighten it, resulting in Joshua Day, which was racing on its inside approaching the winning post, becoming cramped for room and not being able to be properly ridden out.

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

■ <B>RACE 5 ? THE EIAA/CGU CUP</B>

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

■ <B>RACE 6 ? THE SIR GAËTAN DUVAL Q.C. CUP</B>

At the start Grand Duke jumped with its head up and Jazz Band was slow out, both losing about one length. Grand Duke raced fiercely from shortly after the start until the 1300 metres. The Club?s Veterinary Surgeon reported that Winter?s Flame was lame on the near fore leg. In view of this, trainer H. Maigrot was advised that this horse will need a veterinary certificate of soundness before being allowed to race again. Following an inquiry and a report made by trainer B. Gujadhur, it was established that approaching the 700 metres when the pace slowed, Rambo Rouge shifted out slightly, and jockey Bekker (Keen To Win) took his mount out, resulting in Rambo Rouge racing wide from then onwards. Since there was no interference, it was decided not to proceed further. From shortly after the 600 metres Keen To Win which attempted a run into a tight gap between Grand Duke and Uncle Louis was inconvenienced and, near the 500 metres, had to be eased. At an inquiry into the running and riding of Uncle Louis, Mr Gallet told the Stewards that he had instructed jockey Boutanive to settle his mount in second position and if the pace was fast to try and stay within two or three lengths of the leader without taking his mount out of its pace. He added that in the back straight he was to come off the fence so as to be in a striking position as from the 600 metres. Jockey Boutanive was found guilty under Rule 53 A (c) in that from the 1500 to the 1400 metres he unnecessarily restrained his mount resulting in Winter?s Flame extending his lead by much more than 3 lengths, contrary to his instructions. Furthermore, in the back straight, he failed, as per his instructions, to take his horse off the fence in order to be in a striking position as from the 600 metres as requested by his trainer. Jockey Boutanive was suspended from riding in races for two race meetings.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Keen To Win and Uncle Louis prior to the race and from Rambo Rouge after the race.

■ <B>RACE 7 ? THE DAMOISELLE CUP</B>

Jockey Bekker, who was stood down by the Club?s Doctor, was replaced on Rebus by jockey H. Rawa. At the start Love Bug was slow out and In Her Honour jumped awkwardly and threw their heads up, both losing about one length. Shortly after, when being settled, In Her Honour shifted in, brushing Kaleidoscope. Upon entering the final straight, Sun King brushed the running rail. Over the final 50 metres, In Her Honour was disappointed for a clear run behind Sun King. The Veterinary Surgeon reported that St Nicholas was found to be distressed after the race. In view of this, trainer Ramapatee Gujadhur was informed that this horse will need a veterinary certificate of fitness before being allowed to race again.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Kaleidoscope, In Her Honour, Destination and Love Bug prior to the race and from Pipeline after the race.

■ <B>RACE 8 ? THE CHEEKY BOY PLATE</B>

The Club?s Veterinary Surgeon reported that Joystick was suffering from a sore back and was unfit to race. Consequently, the horse was withdrawn at 8 a.m. on Friday. As a result, all bets on this horse were ordered to be refunded and betting with bookmakers was re-opened. Trainer Rameshwar Gujadhur was advised that Joystick will need a veterinary certificate of fitness before being allowed to race again. Jockey Naiko, who was stood down by the Club?s Doctor, was replaced on African Epoch by jockey V. Bundhoo. At the start Thunder Valley was slow out, losing about one length. Blue Grass Beau jumped outwards onto Captain, resulting in the latter being slightly cramped for room. National Trade raced fiercely from the 1100 metres to the 600 metres, throwing its head up when being settled. Shortly before entering the final straight Be A Sport, when attempting a run into a tight gap, had to be eased off the heels of Simply Green. Tabasheer, which was following, was disappointed for a clear run and had to be eased. Thunder Valley and Blue Grass Beau raced wide on the final turn. Shortly after entering the final straight Captain clipped the heels of African Epoch and stumbled. Passing the 300 metres Simply Green shifted in, resulting in National Trade and Captain being slightly inconvenienced. Shortly after, when being straightened, Simply Green shifted out abruptly, bumping Blue Grass Beau on its outside.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Tabasheer prior to the race and from Link-Up after the race.

<B>GENERAL</B>

Following a television interview given by trainer B. Gujadhur after Race 6, Mr Gujadhur was told to refrain from making public comments pertaining to the duties and responsibilities of the Racing Stewards before the latter have had the opportunity to view the film of the race and take decisions if need be.

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