■ <B> RACE 1 – THE ESPANITA PLATE</B>

At the start Real Caliz was slow out, losing about one length. Shortly after the start Tickle My Cluster had to be eased. Jockey Bekker was shown the video this incident, issued with a warning and told to straighten his mounts when they shift ground. Tours raced fiercely from shortly after the start until the 400 metres, throwing its head up when being settled. Approaching the 800 metres Bite The Bullet had to be eased off the heels of Tours, shifted out and brushed Pardon A Prince. Approaching the 600 metres Bite The Bullet, which started to race fiercely, was steadied off the heels of Collect The Cash.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Collect The Cash, Sun King, Tours and Tickle My Cluster prior to the race and blood sample was taken from Fleeting Moment after the race.

■ <B>RACE 2 – THE LORD DUFFERIN CUP</B>

Jockey Mahadia, rider of Judge Boesman, was questioned as to why passing the 1200 metres he allowed National Express to shift in in front of him. He explained that he was well in hand behind the leader but when National Express came close to the leader both horses accelerated, creating a gap between him and the leader. He then tried to close the gap by asking his horse for an effort but the latter did not respond to his urgings. His explanations were accepted. Near the 600 metres, Cross Patch shifted in abruptly resulting in Judge Boesman shifting in, brushing the running rail and losing its position. Near the 300 metres Extreme Force (Rawa) shifted out slightly and Road Rover (Brown) shifted in marginally, resulting in Cross Patch, which was following, having to be checked, Judge Boesman, which was following, was slightly inconvenienced. At an inquiry into this incident, Jockeys Rawa and Brown were issued with a warning and told to exercise care when shifting ground. Near the 100 metres Extreme Force shifted in and Judge Boesman, which was on his inside, was slightly inconvenienced and its rider did not persevere with it to the finish.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Golden Millenium prior to the race and from National Express after the race.

■ <B> RACE 3 – THE LOUIS PHILIPPE BOULLE CUP</B>

At the start Catamaran was slow out, losing about one length. Ten Hundred jumped outwards, brushing Press Line. From the 700 metres Super-C started racing fiercely and had to be eased off the heels of Press Line. From the 600 metres Intsu, which was racing fiercely, was taken out off the heels of Umhlanga and raced wide from thereon. From the 200 to the 100 metres Catamaran hung in badly and could not be properly assisted.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Salute The Star prior to the race and from Press Line after the race.

■ <B>RACE 4 – THE MAURITIUS JOCKEY CLUB GOLDEN JUBILEE CUP</B>

An objection was lodged by jockey Bekker, rider of Cazam, which finished 3rd, against Harry’s Game (N.Teeha), being declared the winner, alleging interference over the final 50 metres. After taking evidence from the riders and trainers concerned and viewing the relevant videos, it was established that from the 100 metres Harry’s Game shifted in, resulting in Cazam being cramped for room and having to be checked over the last 50 metres. The Racing Stewards took the view that the interference was of serious consequence, thus decided to uphold the objection. Consequently, the placings were altered to read: 1st: Oisin Breeze, 2nd: Cazam; 3rd: Harry’s Game. At An inquiry into this incident, it was established that Harry’s Game had a tendency to hang in despite jockey Teeha making some attempt to straighten it. Nonetheless Jockey Teeha was issued with a warning and told that in future he is expected to make more of an attempt to straighten his mounts when they shift ground. At the start Woden and Coronation Cup were slow out, both losing about one length. At an inquiry into the running and riding of Grand Duke (Whitmore), Mr Henry stated that since he believed that there was no genuine pacemakers in the race, after consultation with his jockey, he instructed the latter to lead. Jockey Whitmore was asked firstly whether it would not have been in the best interest of the horse not to rush it in the early stages after agreeing that Grand Duke was a hard puller, and secondly why after 100 metres with Command Centre racing well in hand on his outside, he did not allow the latter to lead and settle Grand Duke off the leader. Jockey Whitmore explained that he was riding as per his trainer’s instructions and that he did not expect Command Centre to challenge Grand Duke for the lead. Jockey Whitmore was given the benefit of the doubt.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Command Centre, Woden and Cazam prior to the race and from Oisin Breeze after the race.

■ <B>RACE 5 – THE SHELL CUP</B>

An objection was lodged by jockey Mahadia, rider of Mister Assembly, which finished 2nd, against Sugar King (R. Hill), being declared the winner, alleging interference near the 150 metres. After taking evidence from the riders and trainers concerned and viewing the relevant videos, it was established that from the 200 metres Sugar King hung out considerably and near the 150 metres bumped Mister Assembly, unbalancing the latter. Also, during the incident Mister Assembly was hit over the head by jockey Hill’s whip. The Racing Stewards took the view that the interference was of serious consequence, thus decided to uphold the objection. Consequently, the placings were altered to read: 1st: Mister Assembly, 2nd: Sugar King; 3rd: Spy In The Sky. At an inquiry into this incident, Jockey Hill (Sugar King) was found guilty of a charge under Rule 161 (c) in that upon entering the final straight, he carelessly allowed his mount to shift out and near the 100 metres bumped Mister Assembly which became unbalanced. After taking into consideration that he was demoted from first place to second place he was fined Rs.10.000. At the start, Clifton King halfreared, was slow out, losing about one length. Near the 150 metres, Spy In The Sky was taken in off the heels of Sugar King, which was shifting out, in order to obtain a clear run.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Spy In The Sky and Clifton King prior to the race and from Mister Assembly after the race.

■ <B>RACE 6 – THE DOMINIQUE GALEA CUP</B>

At the start Shooter jumped outwards brushing Road To Jerusalem. Up In Arms reared and National Manner stood flat-footed and then reared, both losing about one and two lengths respectively. Passing the 600 metres Champ In Action was taken out off the heels of Up In Arms, National Manner, which was following and racing fiercely, pulled its way into a narrow gap and had to be eased when Champ In Action was taken back to the rail. From the 400 metres Rambo Rouge was taken out for a run and raced wide from thereon. National Manner had difficulty obtaining a clear run for most of the final straight. Near the 150 metres Salt Lake City was taken in off the heels of Shooter in order to obtain a clear run. In the final straight Rambo Rouge had a tendency to hang in and could not be properly assisted. Road To Jerusalem hung in in the final straight and proved difficult to be properly assisted. Jockey Joorawon reported that Shooter raced green throughout.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from National Manner and Big Bad John prior to the race and from Champ in Action prior to and after the race.

■ <B>RACE 7 – THE SIR BEDE CLIFFORD CUP</B>

The Club’s Veterinary Surgeon reported that Boozer was suffering from a tendinitis and was unfit to race. Consequently, the horse was withdrawn at 11.45 a.m. today. As a result, all bets on this horse were ordered to be refunded and betting with bookmakers was re-opened. Trainer A. Perdrau was told that Boozer will need a veterinary certificate of soundness before being allowed to race again. At the start, Superagente jumped outwards and was slow out, losing about one length. Place On The Bay jumped the crossing at the 1000 metres and hung in badly from then onwards, proving difficult to control. From the 800 metres Mr Millionaire started racing fiercely and approaching the 600 metres, had to be eased when forcing its way into a small gap between Superagente and Place On The Bay. At an inquiry into an incident, jockey Emamdee, rider of Mr Millionaire, was found guilty to a charge under Rule 161 (c) in that passing the 150 metres he carelessly allowed his mount to shift out, resulting in Place On The Bay having to be eased. Jockey Emamdee was fined Rs.10,000. Superagente raced green throughout and hung out badly in the final straight, proving difficult to be properly assisted.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Century Lad, River Siren and Boozer prior to the race and from Te Atatu after the race.

■ <B>RACE 8 – THE CHICKADEE PLATE</B>

While going to the starting stall Space Centre dislodged its rider and galloped the course. Space Centre was examined by the Club’s Veterinary Surgeon and 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 10 cents per rupee, the average price of Space Centre being 8-1 at the time of withdrawal. At the start Sir Winston stood flat footed, Wise Owl half reared, both horses being slow out and losing about one length. National Trust jumped outwards brushing Spirit. New Recruit raced fiercely from 1300 metres to the 600 metres and hung in badly throughout, proving very difficult to be properly assisted in the final straight.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Space Centre, Golden Rambo, National Trust and Sir Winston prior to the race and from Spirit prior to and after the race.

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