■ <B> RACE 1 ? THE WILFRID JACKSON CUP</B>

Before the start was given, Tickle My Cluster reared in its stall and when the gates opened was up in the air. Acting under Rule 144 (1), the Stewards declared Tickle My Cluster a non-starter. In view of this, all bets on this horse were ordered to be refunded and no deduction was applied on thewinning bets with bookmakers, the average price of Tickle My Cluster being 44-1 at the start of the race. At the start Cut?Em Up and Precision stood flat-footed, were slow out, both losing about one length. Star of Houston jumped outwards and Precision jumped inwards, brushing Tickle My Cluster. Awanago jumped inwards, brushing Praise Caesour. Tours raced wide on the first turn. At an inquiry into an incident, jockey Bhaugeerothee (Four Wood) 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 Precision on his inside, having to be checked. Jockey Bhaugeerothee was suspended from riding in the next race reserved for Mauritian riders. Passing the 1200 metres Tamarin Falls was inconvenienced when Star Of Houston shifted in. Jockey Emamdee was shown the video of the incident and issued with a warning. Approaching the 900 metres Tamarin Falls, which was racing fiercely, was eased off the heels of Star Of Houston. At an inquiry into an incident, jockey Teeha (Tickle My Cluster) was found guilty of a charge under Rule 161 (c) in that near the 300 metres he carelessly took Tickle My Cluster out and bumped Four Wood on his outside, causing it to become badly unbalanced. Jockey Teeha was suspended from riding in races for one race meeting. From the 350 metres, until passing the 300 metres, Cut?Em Up was held up for a run behind Tickle My Cluster. Near the 100 metres Cut?Em Up, when taken out off the heels of Tickle My Cluster, brushed Four Wood on its outside. Jockey Mahadia was shown the video of the incident and told to exercise more care when shifting ground. Awanago raced wide on the final turn. The Club?s Veterinary Surgeon reported that Tours was not striding out properly from the hindquarters after the race, that Awanago was lame on the off fore leg and that Tamarin Falls was suffering from a cut on the near hind leg. In view of these reports, the respective trainers were told that their horses will need a veterinary certificate of soundness before being allowed to race again.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Precision and Tamarin Falls prior to the race and from Star of Houston after the race.

■ <B> RACE 2 ? THE PHILIPPE ANTELME CUP</B>

At the start Royal Dome threw its head up and was slightly slow out and Dick Dastardly jumped inwards, resulting in Royal Dome being slightly inconvenienced. At an inquiry into an incident, jockey Teeha (Dick Dastardly) was found guilty of a charge under Rule 161 (c) in that from the 1300 metres, he carelessly allowed his mount to shift in taking Cedar Falls (Neisius) onto Dane?s Castle (Whitmore), resulting in the latter having to be checked. Jockey Teeha was suspended from riding in races for one race meeting. This suspension to be served concurrently. At an inquiry into an incident, jockey Woodworth (African Ambassador) pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 161 (b) in that after having rushed his mount forward from the start, near the 1250 metres he abruptly over-restrained it, thus causing an interference to horse Supreme Mission (Hill) which was following, causing it to be checked. Jockey Woodworth was fined Rs 10,000. In A Heart Beat raced wide on the first turn and from the 1000 metres was allowed to race to the lead. Upon entering the final straight, Cedar Falls was slightly inconvenienced off the heels of Dick Dastardly. Supreme Mission raced wide throughout and failed to quicken when asked for an effort. A subsequent veterinary examination of this horse revealed no abnormality. Near the 50 metres, Cedar Falls (Neisius) shifted in slightly, brushing Dick Dastardly (Teeha), which in turn shifted in onto Dane?s Castle (Whitmore) which was shifting out. As a result, Dick Dastardly became cramped for room and had to be eased. Jockeys Neisius and Whitmore were shown the video of the incident and advised to straighten their horses when they shift ground.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from In A Heart Beat and In Her Honour prior to the race and from Cedar Falls after the race.

■ <B> RACE 3 ? THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA CUP</B>

An objection was lodged by jockey Emamdee, rider of the 2nd placed horse, Matthew?s Own, against Umzinto being declared the winner, alleging interference near the 300 metres. After viewing the relevant videos and taking evidence from both trainers and riders, the Stewards were of the opinion that Umzinto was taken out off the heels of Keen To Win and brushed Matthew?s Own on its outside. However, Matthew?s Own was not unbalanced and did not lose ground. The Stewards therefore decided to dismiss the objection. At the start Keen To Win jumped outwards and shortly after the start brushed Umzinto. Matthew?s Own was slow out, losing about one length. From the 1100 metres Keen To Win started racing fiercely off the heels of Royal Crusader and approaching the 900 metres was taken out off its heels. At an inquiry into an incident, jockey Woodworth (Keen To Win) pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 161 (c) in that approaching the 300 metres, he carelessly allowed his mount to shift in resulting in Royal Crusader (Neisius) on his inside being bumped, hitting the running rails, becoming cramped for room over some distance and jockey Neisius being badly unbalanced. Jockey Woodworth was suspended to ride in races for one week. In the final straight, Umzinto hung out slightly and Matthew?s Own hung in slightly, resulting in the two brushing near the 100 metres and again near the 50 metres.

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

■ <B> RACE 4 ? THE RBL WATERPROOFING CUP</B>

An objection was lodged by jockey Whitmore, rider of the 2 nd placed horse, Stormy Boy, against Monomotapa being declared the winner, alleging interference near the 100 metres. The Stewards were of the opinion that, although near the 100 metres Stormy Boy was taken out by its jockey in anticipation of Monomotapa moving in to the fence, which the latter did not do, jockey Whitmore did not have to stop riding, and from then on his horse did not make up much ground on the winner, therefore they decided to dismiss the objection. At the start, Blackwatch was slow out losing about one length. Trainer V. Allet was questioned as to the improved performance of Monomotapa. He stated that at its last start he decided to race the latter with blinkers resulting in the horse racing fiercely and being distressed after the race as reported by the Club?s Veterinary Surgeon. He added that Monomotapa resented the tongue-tie, so he decided to race the latter without the two equipments with Monomotapa racing more relaxed. His explanations were noted.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Joshua Day prior to the race and from Monomotapa after the race.

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

At the start Swartland half-reared, was slow out, losing about one length. Men of Rheims, which was leaning on the right side of the gate prior to the start, jumped inwards, Duty Roster and Medal Ceremony jumped outwards, resulting in Swartland being cramped for room and having to be eased. Passing the 1300 metres, War Council which was racing fiercely was eased off the heels of Duty Roster. Upon entering the final straight until the 100 metres Splendid Man shifted out badly and was very difficult to be properly assisted and interfered with Men of Rheims on many occasions. Near the 50 metres Swartland shifted in despite its jockey?s attempt to straighten it and Telaroyal on its inside had to be eased. Over the concluding stages War Council was slightly inconvenienced off the heels of Lump Sum which had shifted in and was not persevered with. Jockey Venkaya was shown the video of the incident and told to straighten his mounts when they shift ground.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Duty Roster prior to the race and from Men of Rheims after the race.

■ <B> RACE 6 ? THE J. ANDRE KOENIG CUP</B>

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

■ <B> RACE 7 ? THE PIERRE NOEL CUP</B>

The Club?s Veterinary Surgeon reported that Space Centre was suffering from an abscess in the mouth and was unfit to race. Consequently, the horse was withdrawn at 7.45 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 S. Ramdin was told that Space Centre will need a veterinary certificate of soundness before being allowed to race again. At the start, Game Lodge was slow out and Light Path jumped with its head up, both losing about one length. From the 400 metres Game Lodge was taken out for a run and raced wide from there onwards. Near the 350 metres Piper?s Promise hung out under pressure and when taken back in slightly inconvenienced Peruzzi which was following. Jockey Bundhoo was shown the video of the incident and told to exercise care at all times.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Duke of Dixie and Peruzzi prior to the race and from Star Combat after the race.

■ <B> RACE 8 ? THE VERDOT PLATE</B>

At the start Got The Pace was slow out, losing about two lengths. Case The Joint jumped awkwardly and Love Bug jumped with its head up, both losing about one length. Approaching the 1300 metres Special K shifted out abruptly for no apparent reason. At the 600 metres Got The Pace was taken out for a clear run and raced wide from thereon. Voodoo Child was held up for a run behind Double Lock from the 300 metres until entering the final straight. In the final straight Voodoo Child had a tendency to hang out and could not be properly assisted. Jockey Rawa (Special K) accidentally dropped his whip near the 100 metres. Near the 100 metres Case The Joint was taken out off the heels of Love Bug, and later on Got The Pace, in order to obtain a clear run. Got The Pace raced wide on the final turn and Go Spook raced wide throughout.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Got The Pace, Special K, Spirit and Love Bug prior to the race and from National Trust prior to andafter the race.

■ <B> GENERAL </B>

At an inquiry, trainer A. Perdrau pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 213 (3) (a) in that on Friday 11th of May, he used an improper language in the paddock of the MTC during the course of a conversation with a Club Official. He was issued with a warning and told that a repetition may lead to a more severe action being taken against him.

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