Auparavant, le récital de Whitmore avait débuté dans la course d’ouverture avec la victoire de Dane’s Castle. Grandissime favori de la course, le coursier irlandais de l’écurie Serge Henry s’est facilement imposé après une sage course d’attente de son cavalier. Il faut toutefois souligner que ce n’était pas une course de tout repos pour Whitmore. Surfing Award qui dirigeait les opérations avait réduit exagérément l’allure et Dane’s Castle s’est retrouvé en difficulté sur pas moins de 150 mètres. Mais lors de l’emballage final, les adversaires de Dane’s Castle n’y ont vu que du feu.

En selle sur Rodriques dans la troisième course, Whitmore a piégé ses adversaires à l’issue d’une course de bout en bout. Malgré le lourd handicap de 60 kg, cette victoire n’a pas été une surprise pour Whitmore car il s’attendait à une belle performance de ce cheval. Il devait nous avouer qu’il craignait un peu son lourd handicap mais le fait d’avoir tiré une ligne intérieure a grandement aidé. De plus, le cheval avait bien travaillé à l’entraînement.

Whitmore aurait même pu ramener un autre vainqueur en National Express dans la course de clôture mais la chance n’était pas de son côté. Sa monture devait fly-jump au départ et malgré une bonne fin de course, il n’a pu remonter Rambo Rouge.

Après cette belle performance, Whitmore nourrit-il des ambitions pour le titre de jockey champion surtout du fait qu’il monte pour une grosse cylindrée ? À cette question , il devait nous déclarer : “I am past forty years old now. I just want to be successful and stay as long as I can at the Serge Henry stable. If the title comes my way, it should then be a bonus.”

<B>Retour

Robbie Hill chez Perdrau à partir de la 5e journée</B>

C’est confirmé. Le cavalier sud-africain Robbie Hill évoluera sous les couleurs de l’écurie Perdrau à partir de la 5e journée. Pour rappel, les négociations avaient déjà été enclenchées avec le cavalier sud-africain avant même le début de la saison mais ce dernier s’était, dans un premier temps, désisté avant de laisser les options ouvertes.

“Il était question que Robbie Hill vienne en début de saison mais il avait changé d’avis. Il avait toutefois gardé les options ouvertes. Il a par la suite reconsidéré l’offre que nous lui avions faite. Il est attendu le 15 mai et il sera en principe en selle lors de la cinquième journée. L’embauche de Robbie Hill a pour but d’apporter un petit plus à tous les niveaux”, nous a déclaré l’entraîneur Alain Perdrau.

<B>Nouveau championnat

Le MTC introduit les Super Series</B>

Après le championnat des stayers patronné par Tote l’année dernière, le Mauritius Turf Club introduit un nouveau championnat pour la saison 2006, les Super Series.

Cette compétition sera réservée aux sprinters-milers et aux milers. Ce nouveau championnat se disputera sur six courses sur un parcours allant de 1400m à 1600m pour les chevaux possédant un rating de 84+.

Cette nouvelle compétition débutera avec la Coupe du Cent Cinquantenaire, un semi-classique. Une épreuve qui sera probablement courue le 27 mai prochain.

Des prix en espèces seront offerts si six chevaux ou plus prennent part à ces épreuves. Cette initiative du Mauritius Turf Club a pour but d’encourager l’achat de nouveaux chevaux et d’étoffer le programme afin d’assurer le spectacle.

L’année dernière, Have Mercy avait remporté la première édition du championnat des stayers. Il avait devancé, aux points, Rhythmicalley et World Focus.

<B>Les super series</B>

● The Princess Margaret Cup (semi-classique) 1400m

● The Blyth Centenary Cup (1930) 1400m

● The Colonel Draper Cup (semi-classique) 1500m

● La Coupe du Cent Cinquantenaire (semi-classique) 1500m

● The Barbé Cup (Classique) 1600m - réservée aux chevaux avec un rating de 74+ poids pour âge

● La Coupe d’Or - (Classique) 1600m - réservée aux chevaux avec un rating de 74+ poids pour âge

<B>Les bonus (minimum de six partants)</B>

● 1er prix : Un bonus Rs 50 000 (une victoire) ou Rs 100 000

(victoire consécutive)

● 2e prix : Un bonus de Rs 25 00

● 3e prix : Un bonus de Rs 10 000

<B>STIPES’ REPORT</B>

<B>RACE 1 – THE EMILE SAUZIER CUP</B>

At the start Dane’s Castle jumped outwards and Surfing Award jumped awkwardly. At an inquiry into an incident, jockey Boutanive (Surfing Award) was found guilty of a charge under Rule 161 (b) for causing an interference in that from the 1150 metres, whilst in the lead, he over restrained his mount, resulting in Dane’s Castle, which was following, being continually checked over approximately 150 metres. Jockey Boutanive was fined Rs.10,000. Judgement Day raced wide on the first turn. Jockey Boutanive accidentally dropped his whip 25 metres from the finish. Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Surfing Award and Sir Winston prior to the race and from Dane's Castle after the race.

<B>RACE 2 – THE L’HEBDO CUP</B>

At the start Got The Pace was slow out, losing about one length and Voodoo Child jumped outwards taking Bubs out onto Paranui, causing the latter to be eased. Shortly after the start Sunsat was carried out by Diamond Lullaby, resulting in Rambo Hawk being cramped for room and having to be eased. Sunsat raced fiercely from the 1300 to the 700 metres and was difficult to be properly assisted. Approaching the 100 metres Rambo Hawk was taken out off the heels of In A Heart Beat in order to obtain a clear run. Paranui hung in throughout the race and in the final straight proved difficult to be properly assisted. A veterinary examination of the horse revealed no abnormality. A veterinary examination of Bubs revealed it to be trotting short on both forelegs. In view of this, trainer S. Henry 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 Paranui, Sunsat, Voodoo Child and Got The Pace prior to the race and from Rambo Hawk after the race.

<B>RACE 3 – THE RADIO PLUS 4TH ANNIVERSARY CUP</B>

At the start Te Atatu reared, was slow out, losing about two lengths. Game Lodge stood flat footed losing about one length and Cross Patch jumped with its head up. Jockey Bekker reported that the earplugs on Cross Patch came out before the first turn. From the 1300 metres Cross Patch raced fiercely, throwing its head up over some distance when being settled off the heels of Land Bank. At an inquiry, jockey Bekker pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 161 (f) in that approaching the 300 metres he, without good cause, opted for a run on the outside whereas there was room for a run on the inside. Taking into consideration that jockey Bekker pleaded guilty and the margin at the finish, he was fined Rs.10,000. In the final straight Cross Patch had a tendency to hang in and proved difficult to be properly assisted. Woden had a tendency to hang in under pressure and near the 100 metres had to be straightened off Cross Patch. Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Ask The Wind prior to the race and from Rodriques after the race.

<B>RACE 4 – LE DEFI PLUS SOUVENIR CUP</B>

Century Lad half reared at the start and Arabian Scent jumped outwards. From the 1100 to the 700 metres Century Lad raced fiercely when being settled and threw its head up for a short distance. Over the concluding stages Noble Rami had to be taken out off the heels of Super-C in order to obtain a clear run. Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Arabian Scent and Noble Rami prior to the race and from Super-C after the race.

<B>RACE 5 – LE DEFI MEDIA GROUP CHALLENGE CUP</B>

At the start, Gypsey Rover half reared and was slow out losing about one length. Jockey Emamdee reported that Gypsey Rover changed legs throughout the race. A veterinary examination of the horse revealed that it was slightly lame on the off fore leg. In view of this, trainer A. Perdrau was told that Gypsey Rover will need a veterinary clearance before being allowed to race again. From the 1000 metres, Gypsey Rover started racing fiercely and near the 900 metres was carried out by Ubusuku which was racing fiercely and had shifted out when being settled. Over the final 75 metres, Joshua Tree had difficulty obtaining a clear run between Germany On and Raise A Ratoon and was eventually taken in for a clear run. At an inquiry into an incident, jockey Boutanive (Fashion Editor) pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 161 (c) in that near the 1300 metres he carelessly allowed his mount to shift in, resulting in Lump Sum being taken in onto Ubusuku, causing the latter to be eased and lose its position. Jockey Boutanive was fined Rs.10,000. Jockeys Bekker (Ubusuku) and Daby (Lump Sum) reported that their respective mounts hung in over the last 75 metres and in the final straight respectively. A subsequent veterinary examination of these horses revealed no abnormality. Jockey Rama (Raise A Ratoon) accidentally dropped his whip 25 metres from the finish.

Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Clifton King, Fashion Editor and Gypsey Rover prior to the race and from Germany On prior to and after the race.

<B>RACE 6 –LE DEFI TURF CHALLENGE CUP</B>

The Club’s Veterinary Surgeon reported that Deliberation was lame and unfit to race. Consequently, the horse was withdrawn at 8 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. Henry was advised that Deliberation will need a veterinary clearance before being allowed to race again. Two objections were lodged, the first by jockey Emamdee (Light Scuffle), which finished 4th, against Heliotrope (J. Bekker), which finished 3rd, alleging that his mount was seriously interfered with near the 150 metres, which caused Light Scuffle to lose its momentum, and the second by jockey Bekker (Heliotrope) against Brandy-Pawnee (S.Mahadia), being declared the winner, alleging interference over the final 75 metres. After taking evidence from the riders and trainers concerned, the first objection was upheld and the placings altered to read 3rd: Light Scuffle and 4th: Heliotrope and the second objection was dismissed. Near the 150 metres, Finbar Finnegan was cramped for room when Brandy-Pawnee shifted in despite jockey Mahadia’s attempt to straighten it. Brandy-Pawnee hung in badly for most of the final straight and over the concluding stages Heliotrope became cramped for room and could not be assisted properly. Jockey Mahadia was shown the video of the final straight and advised that although he made some attempts to straighten his mount, in future he is expected to make more of an effort to straighten his mounts. At an inquiry into an incident, jockey Bekker (Heliotrope) pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 161 (c) in that near the 150 metres he carelessly took his mount out, resulting in Light Scuffle being taken out onto Finbar Finnegan and becoming cramped for room and having to be checked badly. He was fined Rs.20,000. Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Light Scuffle and Dandy Rouge prior to the race and from Brandy-Pawnee after the race.

<B>RACE 7 – THE NEWS ON SUNDAY CUP</B>

The Club’s Veterinary Surgeon reported that War Games was lame and unfit to race. Consequently, the horse was withdrawn at 3 p.m. on Thursday. As a result, all bets on this horse were ordered to be refunded and betting with bookmakers was re-opened. Trainer B. Gujadhur was advised that War Games will need a veterinary clearance before being allowed to race again. At the start Greek Flag jumped outwards. Shortly after the start Orace Barfoot shifted out brushed Seeking The Gold and when taken in, brushed Vampire Jet. Over the concluding stages, Orace Barfoot shifted out and Vampire Jet hung in badly, resulting in both horses brushing at the winning post.Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Greek Flag and Vampire Jet prior to the race and from Seeking The Gold prior to and after the race.

<B>RACE 8 – THE STUDENT PRINCE PLATE</B>

At the start National Express reared and Swoon stood flat-footed, both losing about one length. National Express raced wide on the final turn. Near the 400 metres, Swoon, which had a tendency to hang in, shifted in and bumped Ticket To Space which became unbalanced. Routine urine specimens were taken for analysis from Tamarin Falls prior to the race and from Rambo Rouge prior to and after the race.