■ RACE 1 ? THE AIR MAURITIUS PINK PIGEON CUP

At the start Stephen Jones was slow out, losing about one length and Pigeon Post was slow into stride. Approaching the 1300 metres Jose Mourinho when taken in, bumped Link-Up, both horses becoming unbalanced. As a result Jose Mourinho shifted out and Sun Blast, which was following, had to eased. Jockey Rama was shown the video of the incident and warned for not exercising care when shifting in. At an inquiry into an incident, jockey Boutanive (Turtleback) pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 161 (c) in that approaching the 1200 metres he carelessly allowed his mount to shift in, resulting in Sun Blast on his inside having to be eased. Jockey Boutanive was fined Rs 10 000. Near the 100 metres Jose Mourinho shied away from Turtleback and shifted in. Blushing Moon, which was following, was inconvenienced. The Club?s Veterinary Surgeon reported that Sun Blast bled from both nostrils and was lame on both front legs. In view of this, and acting under Rule 166 (2) (c), trainer R. Gujadhur was told that Sun Blast has been suspended for one month and will need a veterinary clearance before being allowed to race again. Jockey Rawa reported that Pigeon Post was not striding out freely during the race. A subsequent veterinary examination of this gelding revealed no apparent abnormality.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Sun Blast, Blushing Moon and Bobby Shoes prior to the race and from Turtleback after the race.

■ RACE 2 ? THE AIR MAURITIUS CARDINAL CUP

At the start Bang On Time stumbled and shifted inwards. Dick Dastardly jumped outwards and Ay Tee Em jumped inwards, resulting in Mudslide Slim being cramped for room and having to be eased. Step With Style stood flat-footed, losing about two lengths. Trade Wind raced wide on the first turn. At an inquiry into an incident, jockey Teeha (Dick Dastardly) 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 Bang On Time having to be eased. In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into consideration the numerous occasions this season where jockey Teeha had been charged and found guilty for careless riding under this rule, he was subsequently fined Rs 20 000. At an inquiry into an incident, jockey Teeha was found guilty under rule 53 A (a) for improper conduct, the particulars being that he made an improper comment upon leaving the Stewards Room after an inquiry. Jockey Teeha was fined Rs 5 000.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Bang On Time prior to the race and from Mudslide Slim after the race.

■ RACE 3 ? THE AIR MAURITIUS PARAKEET CUP

At the start Raise Your Bid was slow into stride. Fire Qui jumped outwards. From the 500 metres, Innkeeper was taken out for a run and raced wide rounding the home turn. Raise Your Bid was taken out of the race near the 300 metres. When questioned as to the disappointing performance of Raise Your Bid, jockey Bundhoo stated that shortly after the start he felt that his mount was not striding out properly and decided to urge the latter forward but again near the 800 metres Raise Your Bid shortened its stride, giving him the impression that it had broken down. He hence decided not to persevere with the latter. Trainer S. Ramdour stated that the horse had worked well during the week and that he expected a decent run from it today. A subsequent veterinary examination of the horse revealed that it was lame on the hind legs. In view of this report, trainer S. Ramdour was told that Raise Your Bid has been suspended for one month and will need to trial and obtain a veterinary clearance before being allowed to race again.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Noble Dancer and Fire Qui prior to the race and from Cimarron after the race and blood specimen from Raise Your Bid after the race.

■ RACE 4 ? THE AIR MAURITIUS PAILLE-EN-QUEUE CUP

The start was delayed when Harriman reared and dislodged jockey Rama. Trainer L. A. Gallet was informed that in view of this, Harriman will need to trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards before being allowed to race again. At the start, Press Line and Harriman reared, were slow out, both losing about one length. Catamaran stood flat-footed, was slow out, losing about two lengths. Shortly after the start Champ In Action shifted in onto Oisin Breeze and Wolfe Tone, which was carried in, brushed Shooter, which had shifted out. Shooter was then turned sideways, became unbalanced and shifted out, carrying Wolfe Tone outwards onto Oisin Breeze and Champ In Action. Megellan, on their outside, was inconvenienced and had to be steadied. From near the 300 metres until entering the final straight Joshua day was held up for a run when unable to improve behind Wolfe Tone. Near the 100 metres Catamaran had to be taken in off the heels of Wolfe Tone. Passing the 100 metres, Joshua Day was taken out off the heels of Oisin Breeze for a clear run. Up In Arms, which was following and had a tendency to shift in, was then taken out off the heels of Joshua Day and, in doing so, inconvenienced Champ In Action which was also shifting in under pressure. Jockey Rama reported that Harriman raced with the right side rein entangled in its mouth.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Champ In Action and Shooter prior to the race and from Catamaran after the race.

■ RACE 5 ? THE Air Mauritius MAIDEN CUP

Trainer V. Allet was questioned as to the improved performance of Ubusuku. He stated that after its last race where it ran very poorly, the horse was examined by the Stable?s Veterinary Surgeon and it was agreed that its fetlocks be treated. He added that the horse had pleased the stable since he expected a better run from this horse and this time the horse was ridden by a more experienced jockey and the distance suited it better. However, he did not expect it to win. He also informed the Stewards that for its future races Ubusuku will be treated in the fetlocks on the recommendation of the Veterinary Surgeon. His explanations were noted. Passing the 450 metres Lump Sum had to be eased and Optima Maximo, which was following, was taken out to avoid the heels of Lump Sum. Go The Roman and To The Line, which were racing on the outside of Optima Maximo, were taken out. Near the 400 metres Ubusuku, which was taken out to improve on the outside of Have Mercy, was slightly inconvenienced when the latter shifted out slightly and Tabascorez, which was following Ubusuku, was also inconvenienced. Passing the 300 metres, Halo Hunter was inconvenienced and had to be eased off the heels of Tabascorez, which was taken back in after it had shifted out under pressure. Jockey Woodworth was shown the video of the incident, issued with a warning and told to exercise care when shifting ground.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Halo Hunter, Maison de Paris, Medal Ceremony and To The Line prior to the race and from Ubusuku prior to and after the race.

■ RACE 6 ? THE AIR MAURITIUS KESTRELFLYER CUP

An objection was lodged by jockey Mahadia, rider of the 5th placed horse, Bold Plum, against Dawn Attack, which finished 3rd, alleging interference near the 100 metres. After taking evidence from both riders and viewing the available videos, the Stewards were of the opinion that although jockey Hatt did allow his mount to shift inwards, he was clear of Bold Plum, which was following and Bold Plum was not making up sufficient ground before the incident occurred. Hence, the objection was dismissed. Bold Plum jumped inwards bumping Salt Lake City and shortly after had to be eased off the heels of Salt Lake City. Iwe Spiwe was slow out, losing about one length and raced wide throughout. Jockey Woodworth reported that Iwe Spiwe was pulling throughout the race and hung out from the 600 metres. A subsequent veterinary examination of the horse revealed no apparent abnormality. The Clubs? Veterinary Surgeon reported that Horn Beam was lame on the near hind leg. In view of this report, trainer R. Maingard was told that Horn Beam will need a veterinary certificate of soundness before being allowed to race again.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Dawn Attack and Vampire Jet prior to the race and from Salt Lake City after the race.

■ RACE 7 ? THE AIR MAURITIUS LE CHAMAREL CUP

At the start Kaleidoscope and Icelandic were slow out, losing about one length. Romp In The Forum jumped inwards, resulting in Kaleidoscope being taken in onto the heels of Space Centre. Kaleidoscope raced wide throughout. Near the 900 metres Romp In The Forum, which was racing fiercely and proving difficult to control, was taken out off the heels of Light Path and in so doing carried Golden Rambo out, resulting in the latter racing wide from thereon. Passing the 300 metres Icelandic and St. Austell came into contact and became unbalanced over a few strides. Upon entering the final straight, Golden Rambo shifted out under pressure, Icelandic, which was following, was slightly inconvenienced and had to be taken out for a clear run.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from St. Austell, Romp In The Forum, Golden Rambo and Light Path prior to the race and from Kestrel after the race.

■ RACE 8 ? THE AIR MAURITIUS LE FLAMBOYANT CUP

At an inquiry into two incidents involving, firstly, horses Lone Star Park and Jazz King and secondly, horses Golden Kahir, Wise Owl, Private Lesson and Super Edge, evidence was taken from the respective jockeys and after watching the relevant videos, it was established that firstly, near the 100 metres, Lone Star Park had shifted in resulting in Jazz King having to be badly checked. Secondly, passing the 100 metres, Four Wood had shifted in resulting in the above named horses becoming badly cramped for room and shortly after Wise Owl, Private Lesson and Super Edge having to be badly checked. The Stewards, acting under Rule 178 (b), were of the opinion that both interferences were of serious consequence and decided to place Lone Star Park behind Jazz King and disqualify Four Wood and place it last. Subsequent to the inquiries, firstly jockey Daniels pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 161 (c) in that he carelessly allowed his mount to shift in near the 100 metres, resulting in Jazz King having to be badly checked. In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into consideration his guilty plea, however took into account that he had a previous conviction under this rule and that he may have deprived Jazz King from obtaining a better placing. Jockey Daniels was consequently fined Rs.25,000. Secondly, jockey Stewart pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 161 (c) in that he carelessly allowed his mount to shift passing the 100 metres, resulting in Golden Kahir, Wise Owl, Private Lesson, Jazz King and Super Edge becoming badly cramped for room and shortly after Wise Owl, Private Lesson and Super Edge having to be badly checked. In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into consideration that jockey Stewart?s guilty plea, the fact that his horse had been demoted from 2nd to last place and that Golden Kahir, by shifting in, had not helped the jockey?s cause, however considering his numerous previous convictions under this rule and given the serious nature of the fault, he was suspended for one race meeting and fined Rs 25 000.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Private Lesson and Peruzzi prior to the race and from Sideliner after the race.

Alain ROUSSET Chairman of Racing Stewards