■ RACE 1 ? THE FULL CHARGE CUP

At the start Grosvenor Square, Precision, Colby and Got The Pace were slow out, all losing about one length. Approaching the 1100 metres Precision, when being eased off the heels of Happy Clapper, shifted in slightly, cramping Colby on its inside and was inconvenienced over a short distance. Approaching the 100 metres, Colby was taken in off the heels of Precision in order to obtain a clear run. Got The Pace, which was following, was inconvenienced and had to be steadied over two strides. Jockey Daby was shown the video of the incident, issued with a warning and told to exercise care at all times when shifting ground. Jockey Naiko (Intrusion) reported that his mount had a tendency to hang in in the final straight and could not be properly assisted. The Club?s Veterinary Surgeon reported that Precision was lame on the off fore leg and was coughing repeatedly. An endoscopic examination of the horse revealed that there was blood in the trachea. In view of this, trainer S. Ramdour was told that this gelding will need a veterinary clearance, be treated accordingly and trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards before being allowed to race again.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Colby, Space Centre, Got The Pace and Soul Power prior to the race and from Spirit after the race.

■ RACE 2 ? THE MIRABEAU CUP

At the start Trade Wind stumbled, was slow out, losing about one length. At an inquiry into two incidents, jockey Boutanive was found guilty of two charges, firstly, under Rule 161 (f) in that from shortly after the start until the 1250 metres, he, without good cause, failed to take his mount closer to the fence when in a position to do so. Jockey Boutanive was fined Rs.20,000. Secondly, he was found guilty under Rule 161 (c) in that approaching the 1200 metres he carelessly allowed his mount to shift in, resulting in Trade Wind on its inside becoming badly cramped for room over approximately 10 strides and eventually having to be checked badly. Supreme Mission, which was following, was inconvenienced and had to be eased over some distance. When assessing penalty, the Stewards were of the opinion that this interference was of a severe nature and took into consideration that jockey Boutanive was fined last week under this rule, consequently jockey Boutanive was suspended from riding in races for one racemeeting and fined Rs.10,000. Passing the 1300 metres Legionnaire, which was racing fiercely, was awkward on the heels of Major League and shortly after shifted in, brushing Major League. When questioned as to the improved performance of Chopipe, trainer B. Gujadhur said that, in his opinion, it was not an improved performance since Chopipe?s rating had gone down and that this gelding was running against weaker opposition, together with the fact that it was ridden by a more experienced jockey for the first time this season. The Club?s Veterinary Surgeon reported that Legionnaire was trotting short after the race. In view of this and considering that it is the second time that this gelding is reported not to be striding out after its race, trainer Rameshwar Gujadhur was told that Legionnaire has been suspended from racing for a period of one month and will need to trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards before being allowed to race again.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Legionnaire and Supreme Mission prior to the race and from Chopipe after the race.

■ RACE 3 ? THE SHRIMATI INDIRA GANDHI CUP

An objection was lodged by jockey V. Bundhoo, rider of What Price, which finished second, against Blackwatch being declared the winner, alleging interference near the 150 metres. After taking evidence from both riders and trainers and viewing the relevant videos, the Stewards were of the opinion that when Blackwatch shifted in, it was clear of What Price which eventually had to be taken out, however over the concluding stages Blackwatch drew away from it. The objection was therefore dismissed. At the start Cazam and Sugar Baron were slow out, both losing about one length. Intsu raced wide on the first turn. Upon entering the final straight Blackwatch shifted in despite jockey Brown?s attempt to straighten his mount.

Routine urine specimen was taken for analysis from Blackwatch after the race

■ RACE 4 ? THE BRINKS SECURITY CUP

At the start Coronation Cup and Catamaran were slow out, losing about one length. Monomotapa stumbled on jumping. Catamaran had a tendency to hang in in the final straight. Trainer A. Perdrau and jockey Hatt were questioned as to the disappointing performance of Catamaran. Trainer Perdrau explained that, in his opinion, at this gelding?s last start the race was run at a very fast pace with the leaders getting tired at the end of the race, and Catamaran, which was racing off the pace, made up ground to win. Jockey Hatt added that this time the horse being fitter and probably looking for more ground, was outpaced in the early stages and took a long time to quicken in the final straight. He also stated that his mount had a tendency to lay in in the final straight. Mr. Perdrau concluded that he would endeavour running the horse over a longer distance in a few weeks time.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Alaric and Catamaran prior to the race and blood specimen from Stormy Boy after the race

■ RACE 5 ? THE SIR SEEWOOSAGUR RAMGOOLAM CENTENARY CUP

Trainer V. Allet was questioned as to the tactics used on Heliotrope. Trainer Allet explained that considering the horse was carrying 58.5 kg and that Wolfpack, which was drawn on his inside, had shown pace at its second last start when drawn inside Wolfe Tone, and that Fire Practice had shown a lot of pace in its previous races, he instructed jockey Woodworth to follow in third position on the fence as Heliotrope had won when racing from off the pace in the past. When Mr. Allet was told that the Stewards were not very satisfied with the way the race was run, he added that in hindsight he may have erred in his tactical choice. At an inquiry into the running and riding of Heliotrope, jockey Woodworth was found guilty of a charge under Rule 161 (f), the particulars being that after the first 800 metres had been run at a slow pace, and, he had allowed the leading horse to be more than four lengths in front of him, he, without good cause, failed to take appropriate measures to bridge the gap until passing the 400 metres. In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into consideration the past sanctions imposed on jockeys in similar cases. Jockey Woodworth was therefore suspended from riding in races for one racemeeting and fined Rs.25,000. An inquiry was held into the riding of Wolfpack, particularly with regard to the first 100 metres, the back straight and the final straight. After hearing evidence from trainer Rameshwar Gujadhur and jockey J. R. Boutanive, it was decided not to proceed further. At an inquiry into the running and riding of Swartland, jockey Neisius admitted that at the 1200 metres, when the pace slowed he was in two minds as to whether he should come off the fence and improve his position or stay where he was. He elected for the latter as the horse was running with blinkers for the first time and as it raced fiercely prior to that, he felt it would be wiser to get it settled behind horses rather than improve his position. His explanations were accepted.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Swartland prior to the race and from Fire Practice after the race.

■ RACE 6 ? THE LOUIS LARCHER CUP

At the start Iwe Spiwe which was fractious in its stall, was slow out, losing about one length. Passing the 900 metres, when taken behind Umhlanga, Born Leader shifted in abruptly, brushing the running rail. At an inquiry into the running and riding of Dane?s Castle, jockey Stewart was found guilty of a charge under Rule 161 (f), the particulars being that at approximately the 1000 metres he, without good cause, allowed Born Leader to take up his position on the fence behind the leader, furthermore in the back straight when the pace was slow and he was on the outside, he restrained his mount, thus enabling the leader Umhlanga to dictate its own pace. Jockey Stewart was fined Rs.25,000. At an inquiry into the riding of Iwe Spiwe, jockey Rawa was asked why when the pace slowed in the back straight he did not allow his mount to race freely. He explained that he did not want to put undue pressure on the leading horse since he was of the opinion that had he done so, he would have required an effort of his mount prematurely, resulting in the latter fading over the concluding stages of the race. Jockey Rawa was told that every horse in a race must run his chance whether there is a stable-companion or not in the same race .

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Cash On Delivery prior to the race and from Umhlanga after the race.

■ RACE 7 ? LA COUPE DE LA REPUBLIQUE

The start was delayed when Gold Guild reared in its gate, with its front legs being caught on top of the left gate and had to be removed from that awkward position. It was examined by the Club?s Veterinary Surgeon and was withdrawn from the race. In view of this, all bets on this horse were ordered to be refunded and the winning bets with bookmakers were paid less 5 cents per rupee, the price of Gold Guild being 14-1 at the time of withdrawal. Trainer B. Gujadhur was informed that in view of this, Gold Guild will need to trial to the satisfaction of the Racing Stewards before being allowed to race again.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Vigliodor prior to the race and from Alarming Swing after the race.

■ RACE 8 ? THE WILD AMBER PLATE

At the start, Step With Style was slow out losing about one length. Jockey Neisius reported that Licenced To Kill raced green.

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

Alain ROUSSET

Chairman of Racing Stewards