Stewards slighted stipes efforts
By Aalibaba

Kolkata
Thursday, 7th August, 2003

The spotlight last Thursday was on jockey Amyn Merchant and his valet as they were caught red-handed in the process of smuggling in one kg of lead weight before the weighing-in formalities after the fourth race. The horse in question was Immaculate who was, obviously, disqualified from the fourth position that he had occupied in the Commuter Cup  won by Alcalde. However, the question that is asked in the racing circles as to what punishment was awarded to the jockey for their act of malpractice or cheating? One is, however, not keen to analyse the motive  behind the act -- of the two offenders, the term though vehemently opposed by the racing fraternity, as they preferred calling it an act of criminal offence. In fact, a section of race-professionals aired their views loudly enough to suggest that the duo had been doing so regularly and had tipped off the stipes before they got in to action. 

The repenting duo was, however, quick and candid enough to own up and was even apologetic but the words sorry sir did not appease the stipes who reported the matter to the stewards. 

It was a courageous decision on the part of the stipes who had been taking a lot of flaks from the race-tribe and the city scribes as well, for their negligence in respect of vigilance. However, it was the august body of the stewards who slighted their magnum effort.  The seat of power handed Merchant a four-day suspension while a 13-meet ban was awarded to the valet. The ban will be honoured all over the turf world as per the reciprocal arrangement between the horseracing world. However, while pronouncing their judgment the learned men failed to draw a line between the thief and the one who helped in stealing. The criminal law does not distinguish between the two and the act of each one is treated with equal contempt. 

If Merchant initiated the process of smuggling the lead weight in, the valet was only helping the jockey completing the job. If stewards thought that Merchants was minor in nature, so was the valets. Then why was the buck passed onto the valet?  Honestly speaking, Merchants man Friday dared to not go against the wishes of his master. Because, he would have risked his job. But little did he realise that he would be banned for two months. 

The fact that RCTC lacks transparency in enquiries and there is no way one can ascertain as to why and what transpired the wisemen to take two different lines in view of the crime committed and the punishment awarded to the two offenders. One would have definitely appreciated the stewards decision if the two offenders were slapped a long ban or a four race-meets suspension handed to each of the two, though the racing circles was of opinion that the minimum expected punishment in such cases was six month suspensions. One wonders if there is a provision in the RCTC rules of racing for valets to appeal for mercy. If so, it may not only help stewards to restore parity but also help them with a face saving material.

Coming back to the days programme; the racing followed the pattern that was set weeks ago as outsiders continued their dominance, though trainer Bharath Singh may not agree to the statement. The crafty Singh managed four winners in the days seven-event card and he has reason to dispute observations of others. Alcalde apart, Blue Chip was the only other outsider from among Bharaths winners as Evangeline, who easily claimed the Calcutta Fillies Trial Stakes, was a firm favourite and Aiberni was jointly fancied with Midas Touch to win Bachelors Wedding Handicap. 

Jockey S.Shanker on Alcalde, the winner of the Commuter Cup

Jockey c. Alford on Aiberni, the winner of the Bachelor's Wedding Handicap

Jockey Surjeet Singh on Great Ambition, the winner of the Sunbird Cup  

The summering in Bangalore has done a world of good to Evangeline. The Excaliburs Lake-Glowing Tribute daughter was not only giving chunks of weight to each of her five rivals, she was also expected to be little uncomfortable over the 1,400-metres trip on monsoon race-track. However, the brave filly dispelled any doubt about her galloping limitation as she won by a shade under nine lengths from Brighter Future who was seen dictating terms till 300metres from home. Ryan Marshall always looked comfortable behind the leader and released brakes on Evangeline when he thought it was necessary before Bharath-trainee pulled away without being hustled. 

Alcalde came like a bolt from the blue, though the Rebounding Thrill-Nimble five-year-old was always in third behind the fighting front runners River Melody and Allabreva till 150 metres from home. It was just a matter of giving a go signal and jockey Shanker waited a little longer than necessary, though the two-length-plus verdict recoded by the winner may not suggest so. Both River Melody, who was edged out to be third at the wire, and Allabreva are expected to repay for losses as the former got very little assistance from R. Yadav in the saddle and Allabreva had returned to the track after nearly 18 months. 

Aibernis effort, too, was a routine one and the sparingly raced five-year-old gelding was made to wait behind the hot-footed Sky Command till below the distance post before he went about his winning business from an improving Midas Touch. Coming from way behind, Lucifer was a good third. 
Not satisfied with sharing honours with Davaro last week over an 1,100-metre race, the Daniel David-trainee was pushed to make a quick entry and the trainers judgment was amply rewarded as the Tecorno-Loire Princess three-year-old every post of the 1,200-metre Sunbird Cup a winning one. Stable-mate Far Hope, who did not look very bright during the pre-race parade, was an unwanted second and the classic hope of the stable is bound to improve before the Colts day on August 29.