■ <B>RACE 1 – THE VILLIERS CUP</B>

At the start Real Caliz was slow out, losing about one length. Passing the 1300 metres Jet Propelled shifted in, was immediately taken out, resulting in Joystick, which was following, being slightly inconvenienced. Jockey Rawa pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 158 (5) in that he did not ride French Lightning out to the finish and may have deprived it of the 3rd place. He was fined Rs.10,000.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Joystick and French Lightning prior to the race and from Cedar Falls after the race.

■ <B> RACE 2 – THE LEOVILLE L’HOMME CUP</B>

At the start Rebus threw its head up. Express Mail hung in badly in the final straight and had to be continually eased off the heels of Barrister. Approaching the 100 metres Kings Arms had to be taken out off the heels of Rambo Hawk in order to obtain a clear run. Barrister hung in in the final straight. Jockey Brown reported that Jamieson Bay was not travelling well and hung in in the final straight. A subsequent veterinary examination of the horse revealed no abnormality.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Slivovitz and Imperial Crown prior to the race and from Bold Plum after the race.

■ <B> RACE 3 – THE RAOUL RIVET CUP</B>

The start was delayed when Emjaybee, which was unruly in its stall, caught its off fore leg on the partition of barrier No. 6. Consequently, Emjaybee was withdrawn from the race on veterinary grounds. In view of this, all bets on Emjaybee were ordered to be refunded and winning bets with bookmakers were paid less 5 cents per rupee, the average price of Emjaybee being 19-1 at the time of withdrawal. Trainer S. Ramdin was advised that this horse will need to pass a barrier trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards before being allowed to race again. An objection was lodged by jockey Bekker, rider of Alaric, which finished 2nd, against Promise Keeper being declared the winner, alleging interference near the 100 metres and again near the winning post. After taking evidence from the riders and trainers concerned and viewing the relevant videos, the objection was dismissed. At the start Peruzzi was slow out, losing about one length. Bang On Time jumped inwards, brushing Royal Dome. Approaching the 1300 metres Alaric, which was racing fiercely, had to be eased off the heels of Promise Keeper and threw its head up over some distance. Passing the 1300 metres Intsu shied away from Kestrel on its outside, shifted in, bumping Alaric on its inside. Passing the 1200 metres Umhlanga, which was racing fiercely, came out off the heels of Promise Keeper, as a result both Salt Lake City and Road Rover, which were following, had to be eased. Approaching the 1100 metres, when the pace slowed, Salt Lake City started racing fiercely and had to be eased off the heels of Alaric, thereby losing its position. Bang On Time raced wide throughout. Upon entering the final straight Royal Dome shifted in under pressure and near the 100 metres Peruzzi shifted out slightly resulting in Road Rover being cramped for room and bumping Peruzzi which became badly unbalanced. Jockey Neisius was shown the video of the incident and advised to show more care when his mounts shift ground. Near the 100 metres Promise Keeper shifted in and Peruzzi shifted out slightly, resulting in Alaric having to be taken in for a clear run and again near the winning post Alaric had to be eased when Promise Keeper shifted in. Jockey Shea was shown the video of the incidents and advised to show more care when his mounts shift ground. Jockey Jupp (Salt Lake City) reported that his mount pulled hard, hung out on the turns and proved difficult to control. Jockey Herholdt reported that Intsu hung out badly throughout. A subsequently veterinary examination of the horse revealed that it was lame on the off fore leg. In view of this, trainer B. Gujadhur was told that Intsu will need a veterinary certificate of soundness before being allowed to race again. When questioned as to the reason why Bang On Time raced without the tongue-tie contrary to its last two starts, Mr. Henry said that the horse had worked well at track work without the said equipment. Considering that the horse has performed well with the equipment at its two last starts, the Stewards told Mr. Henry that they expect the horse to race with this equipment in future.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Emjaybee, Bang On Time and Peruzzi prior to the race and from Promise Keeper after the race.

■ <B>RACE 4 – THE ROBERT DE SENNEVILLE CUP</B>

Near the 200 metres Brooke’s Express was accidentally hit over the head by Jockey Boutanive’s whip.

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

■ <B>RACE 5 – THE MAURITIUS COMMERCIAL BANK CUP</B>

At the start Rodriques was slow out, losing about one length. Passing the 1000 metres, when the pace slowed, Rodriques started racing fiercely and was taken out off the heels of Cable Guy. War Council hung out on the final turn and Cable Guy hung out in the final straight. Passing the 100 metres, Halidom had to be taken out off the heels of One For The Road in order to obtain a clear run.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Cherry Bite and Cable Guy prior to and from One For The Road after the race.

■ <B>RACE 6 – THE PHILILLE DUCLER DES RAUCHES CUP</B>

From the 600 metres Playing Possum hung out badly. The Club’s Veterinary Surgeon reported that Playing Possum was distressed after the race. In view of this, trainer V. Allet 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 Winter’s Flame and Playing Possum prior to the race and from Keen To Win after the race.

■ <B>RACE 7 – THE J. ANGE CAYEUX CUP</B>

At the start In Her Honour was slow out, losing about one length. Passing the 1000 metres, when the pace slowed, St Nicholas started to race fiercely and was steadied off the heels of Yorkshire Post. National Express, which was following, also had to be steadied. Approaching the 800 metres, when the pace slowed, In Her Honour started to race fiercely, was taken out off the heels of Desert Dance and raced wide from thereon. Passing the 300 metres Yorkshire Post shifted in and out and shortly after shifted out. National Express, which was following, was inconvenienced and had to be steadied. The Club’s Veterinary Surgeon reported that Yorkshire Post was suffering from a deep laceration on the near hind tendon. Being considered irrecoverable, it was later euthanised.

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

■ <B>RACE 8 – THE LINES OF POWER PLATE</B>

Passing the 300 metres Got The Pace shifted in, resulting in Personal Choice on its inside being inconvenienced and having to be steadied. Furthermore, upon entering the final straight, Got The Pace shifted out resulting in Crimson Gown, which was following, having to be taken out. Jockey Shea was shown the video of both incidents, issued with a warning and told to exercise care before shifting ground. After the race, jockey Geroudis (National Trust) requested to the Stewards that his mount be declared a non-starter on the grounds that it had forced its gate open and was unbalanced on jumping thus losing its position. After consideration, it was established that, although National Trust did force its gate open fractionally before the start was given and became unbalanced at the next stride, the Stewards concluded that thelatter was neither denied a fair start nor unduly given an advantageous start. Jockey Geroudis’s request was not accepted.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Got The Pace and National Trust prior to the race and from Crimson Gown after the race.

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