■ RACE 1 ? THE DAY TO REMEMBER CUP

Big Bad John, Colby and Judgement Call were slow to begin. Game Lodge was slow into stride. Approaching the 1600 metres Light Path lay out, brushing Paranui. Nearing the 1400 metres Weekender lay in, brushing the running rail. At the 1300 metres Piper?s Promise lay in, brushing Judgement Call. Big Bad John raced wide from the 1000 metres. At the 900 metres Golden Rambo commenced to over-race and had to steady from the heels of Colby. Judgement Call, which was following, then steadied. At the 600 metres Game Lodge had to be steadied when unable to improve between Colby and Golden Rambo. Piper?s Promise, which was following, also steadied. At the 300 metres Paranui, which had commenced to give ground, was awkward on the inside of Light Path which in turn, was tight on the inside of Colby, which was laying in. The Stewards questioned trainer B. Gujadhur and jockey Nagadoo in relation to the handling of Paranui. Trainer Gujadhur explained that from a good barrier he expected Paranui to lead and to perform well. After viewing the films, trainer B. Gujadhur explained that in his opinion jockey Nagadoo had erred in persisting for the lead in the first 500 metres when it was obvious that Light Path, which was racing on his inside, was endeavouring to hold the lead. Jockey Nagadoo explained that his instructions were to endeavour to lead and as such he persevered on his mount in the early stages to follow his instructions, however he did not expect Light Path to endeavour to lead, as such he persisted until approaching the winning post the first time. After viewing the films, jockey Nagadoo acknowledged that he had erred in persisting for too long in the early stages when endeavouring to obtain the lead. After consideration, jockey Nagadoo pleading guilty for contravening Rule 161 (f) for failing to ride Paranui to the satisfaction of the Stewards, the particulars being that in the circumstances of this race he persevered for too long in the early stages when endeavouring to obtain the lead. He was subsequently suspended from riding in two races reserved for Mauritian riders. The Stewards questioned trainer S. Ramdin and jockey Sooful in relation to the performance of Game Lodge. Mr. Ramdin explained that his instructions were to obtain a mid-field position, however he acknowledged that the gelding was disadvantaged by an awkward barrier. Jockey Sooful explained that after being slow into stride he was able to go forward to obtain a mid-field position, however when asked to accelerate from the 400 metres failed to do so and was disappointing. The Club?s Veterinary Surgeon reported that Paranui bled from both nostrils. In view of this report and, acting under Rule 166 (2) (c), trainer B. Gujadhur was told that this gelding 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 Game Lodge prior to the race and from Golden Rambo after the race.

■ RACE 2 ? THE RAOUL RIVET CUP

Superagente refused to jump, losing considerable ground. Trainer S. Henry was told that this gelding will need to pass a barrier trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards and obtain a veterinary certificate of soundness before being allowed to race again. At the 1200 metres Lockerbie steadied when awkward on the inside of Mr Magoo, which in turn was awkward on the inside of Jose Mourinho. At the 900 metres Lockerbie which was over-racing steadied from the heels of Mr Magoo which was awkward on the inside of Jose Mourinho. After being steadied Lockerbie ducked out abruptly and raced wide after this, Strand Of Gold and Licenced To Kill, which were following, had to be steadied. Jockey Whitmore, rider of Jose Mourinho, was warned to exercise more care. Approaching the 800 metres Jose Mourinho steadied to obtain a position behind Major League, which was improving on its outside. For some distance following this, Jose Mourinho over-raced and was awkward on the heels of Major League. At the 300 metres Emjaybee had to be steadied when unable to improve between Strand Of Gold and Licenced To Kill, which was being taken to the outside of Mr Magoo. Jockey M. Neisius, the rider of Licenced To Kill, was warned to exercise more care when shifting ground. Approaching the 200 metres Chopipe had to be steadied and taken to the inside of Port Jackson, which had commenced to lay in, to continue going forward. For some distance approaching the 100 metres Chopipe had to be steadied when awkward on the inside of Port Jackson which was shifting in under pressure with eventually Chopipe being restrained. Consequently, jockey V. Bundhoo (Port Jackson) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under Rule 161 (c) and in relation to penalty he requested a suspension rather than a fine. Jockey Bhundoo was suspended from riding in races for one race meeting. Lockerbie raced wide rounding the home turn. At the 150 metres Mr Magoo had to be taken to the inside of Major League to obtain clear running. The Stewards questioned trainer G. Rousset in relation to the performance of Strand Of Gold. Trainer Rousset explained the horse was having its second start for him today and was a last start winner. In his opinion the gelding has improved since its last start win. As such he expected the gelding to perform well, his only concern being the outside barrier draw. Jockey Teeha explained that after jumping well he was able to obtain a mid-field position, however when asked to accelerate from 400 metres he commenced to lay out and then in the home straight did not run on as expected. A subsequent veterinary examination of Strand Of Gold revealed that it was lame on the near fore leg. In view of this report, trainer Rousset was told that this horse will need a veterinary certificate of soundness before being allowed to race again.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Strand Of Gold prior to the race and from Jose Mourinho prior to and after the race.

■ RACE 3 ? THE FRANTZ MERVEN CUP

Horn Beam jumped awkwardly, brushing the hindquarters of Kestrel. Woden jumped awkwardly losing ground. Grand Duke jumped awkwardly, brushing the inside of the stall and shifted ground, crowding Weston Heritage. Approaching the 700 metres For Keeps was awkward when close to the heels of Umhlanga. At the 1300 metres Cedar Falls, when being steadied, shifted in, crowding For Keeps. Cedar Falls then shifted out, inconveniencing Weston Heritage. Weston Heritage then steadied to take a position behind Cedar Falls and in doing so crowded Harriman onto Horn Beam. Harriman was taken wide rounding the home turn. Cazam laid in in the home straight and proved difficult to ride out.

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

■ RACE 4 ? THE FRANCE ANTELME CUP

Stormy Boy, Rambo Royale and Al Mambo were slow to begin. African Ambassador jumped awkwardly and shifted ground, inconveniencing Nautilus. Megellan raced wide in the early stages. At the 1300 metres Al Mambo steadied from the heels of African Ambassador which had been steadied in front. African Ambassador, after being steadied then got its head up and lay out, inconveniencing Nautilus, which had been carried wide on the track. African Ambassador continued to lay out for some considerable distance following this. The Stewards questioned jockey Woodworth in relation to his handling of African Ambassador. He explained that he was instructed to lead if possible but as he has drawn wide and there were fast horses drawn on his inside, he hoped to obtain a forward position, however when African Ambassador was inclined to hang out in the early and middle stages he had no alternative but to maintain his position on the outside of Press Line. Megellan laid in in the home straight. Following the disappointing performance of Rambo Royale, the Stewards were advised by the stable connections that the gelding will be retired.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from African Ambassador and Clifton King prior to the race and blood specimen from Stormy Boy after the race.

■ RACE 5 ? THE MAURITIUS COMMERCIAL BANK CUP

The Stewards considered an objection lodged by jockey Teeha (Men Of Rheims), which finished third, against Wolfe Tone, being declared the winner, alleging interference in the final straight. Evidence disclosed that shortly after straightening Men Of Rheims was taken to the inside of Wolfe Tone to obtain clear running and although being ridden with the whip was unable to improve its position on the inside of Wolfe Tone, then approaching the 100 metres Wolfe Tone commenced to shift in, crowding Men Of Rheims which was then steadied such that leaving the 100 metres Men Of Rheims was then taken to the outside of Wolfe Tone and in doing so contacted Jumpin Joshua. After consideration, the Stewards could not be satisfied that the material extent of the interference suffered by Men Of Rheims exceeded the beaten margin of 0.7 length, therefore the objection was dismissed. Jockey Woodworth (Wolfe Tone) pleaded guilty to contravening MTC Rule 161 (c) for careless riding in that for some distance near the 100 metres he allowed his mount to shift in, unnecessarily crowding Men Of Rheims, he was fined Rs 20,000. Spy in The Sky jumped awkwardly, brushing the hindquarters of Royal Harvest. Flavius jumped awkwardly. At the 1450 metres Men Of Rheims, Flavius and Royal Harvest raced tight for a short distance. Shortly after this, Royal Harvest rolled out and had to steady from the heels of Yankee Bell. Leaving the 1400 metres, Flavius, after steadying from the hindquarters of Wolfe Tone, rolled out brushing Yankee Bell. Leaving the 1300 metres Yankee Bell, which was awkward on the inside of Jumpin Joshua, shifted in, crowding Flavius onto Men Of Rheims. At the 1300 metres Champ In Action rolled in, crowding Royal Harvest onto Spy In The Sky. F. Herholdt, the rider of Champ In Action, was warned to exercise more care when shifting ground. At the 1200 metres Men Of Rheims and Jumpin Joshua were awkward when racing tight on the heels of Yankee Bell. Approaching the 1000 metres Yankee Bell steadied to endeavour to obtain a position behind Flavius, Yankee Bell then rolled in slightly with Champ In Action clipping the heels of Yankee Bell and becoming unbalanced. Shortly after this, Spy In The Sky and Champ In Action bumped. Champ In Action then had to steady when awkward on the heels of Flavius. As a result of this Yankee Bell was obliged to race wide throughout. For some distance leaving the 800 metres Champ In Action, which was tight on the inside of Yankee Bell, was awkward on the heels of Flavius. Spy In The Sky laid in in the home straight and over the concluding stages crowded Royal Harvest.

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

■ RACE 6 ? THE SIR CLAUDE NOEL CUP

The Club?s Veterinary Surgeon reported that Umzinto was lame and unfit to race and was withdrawn on Friday at 8 a.m. In view of this, all bets on the horse were ordered to be refunded and betting with bookmakers was re-opened. Trainer S. Henry was told that this horse will need a veterinary certificate of soundness before being allowed to race again. Sugar Baron was slow to begin. The Duke of Dixie was slow into stride. Blackwatch over-raced in the early stages. At the 700 metres National Trust, which had been over-racing, steadied from the heels of Blackwatch. The Stewards questioned jockey Brown in relation to the disappointing performance of Blackwatch. He explained that the gelding over-raced in the early stages and although asked to improve from the 400 metres, failed to do so and was disappointing. He added that in his opinion Blackwatch after over-racing found today?s distance of 1800 metres too far.

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

■ RACE 7 ? THE RAOUL RIVET CUP

Jazz Band reared at start, struck an upright, losing considerable ground. Turtleback was slow to begin. Place On The Bay jumped awkwardly. Shortly after the start Iwe Spiwe and Happy Clapper came together. Leaving the 1250 metres Lombardy laid out and had to steady off National Express. Misty Gold, which was following, steadied. At the 1000 metres Place On The Bay, which was tight on the inside of Happy Clapper, steadied from the heels of Turtleback. At the 800 metres Happy Clapper became unbalanced, laid in and faultered, losing considerable ground. Trainer V. Allet was told that Happy Clapper will need to pass a barrier trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards and obtain a veterinary certificate of soundness before being allowed to race again. Iwe Spiwe laid out approaching the home turn. Misty Gold was taken wide rounding the home turn and then laid in in the home straight. At the 50 metres Turtleback had to be taken to the inside of Judge Boesman to continue going forward when Judge Boesman shifted ground outwards under pressure. On the winning post Misty Gold and Judge Boesman came together. The Stewards questioned jockey Herholdt in relation to the disappointing performance of Jazz Band. He explained that as the start was affected Jazz Band reared, losing considerable ground and because of the strong speed was unable to rejoin the field and was disappointing. A veterinary examination of the horse revealed that it was slightly lame on the off fore leg. Trainer S. Henry was told that Jazz Band will need to pass a barrier trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards and obtain a veterinary certificate of soundness before being allowed to race again.

Blood specimen was taken for analysis from Misty Gold after the race.

■ RACE 8 ? THE LINES OF POWER PLATE

Tincture became fractious in the barrier and burst through. It was quickly reigned in, inspected and passed fit to race. Link-up stumbled upon jumping. Soul Power jumped awkwardly, shifted in, bumping Droplet. Superviviente was slow into stride. At the 1300 metres Guzerat, which was tight on the inside of Dutori, laid in, crowding Tincture. Leaving the 1300 metres Dutori laid in crowding Guzerat. At the 1250 metres Dutori, which was awkward on the inside of Marrakesh, laid in, crowding Guzerat. Approaching the 1100 metres Gandolf raced ungenerously, throwing its head. Approaching the 900 metres Praise Caesour rolled in, crowding Superviviente. Approaching the 900 metres Guzerat, which was over-racing, improved on the outside of Major John. Shortly after this Guzerat had to be steadied when awkward between Major John and Dutori which was shifting in slightly. Approaching the 800 metres Major John laid in for some distance. Guzerat, which was following, was awkward. Major John then laid in for the remainder of the race. Gandolf raced wide approaching and rounding the home turn. The stewards questioned trainer S. Ramdour and jockey Venkaya in relation to the improved performance of Marrakesh.

Mr. Ramdour explained he had added side-winkers to the horse?s gear and also varied the gelding?s training regime, as such he was hoping for an improved performance by the gelding, however it was not supported by the stable connections. Jockey Venkaya explained the gelding felt well behind the barriers and because of its improved track work he expected the gelding to perform well.

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

Ian PATERSON Chairman of Racing Stewards