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Trainer Irfan Ali was questioned regarding the inconsistent pattern of running thereby resulting in  improved performance of his charge MASTER STEFFANO (R Rakesh)  as compared to its last run in Race No.146 THE BEE’S PROSPECTOR PLATE.DIV.I. (ABT) 1200 mts run on 29th December 2015 ridden by Jockey Narain Singh where it was unplaced.

Trainer  Irfan Ali stated that:-

i)    In its earlier engagements on 29th December 2015 he had instructed Jockey Narain Singh to sit 3rd /4th and do his best on entering the straight and soon after jumping out of the starting gates his charge was interfered which is being recorded in the Racing incidents and the jockey who interfered was fined accordingly.

ii)    In the above race  he had instructed his jockey to sit 2nd/3rd and do his best on entering the straight and the jockey had followed his instructions.
iii)    In the above race his charge had a distance of extra 200mts  to cover and was ridden by a jockey claiming 5 kg allowance and there were no common runners.
iv)    In view of its poor performance in Race No.146 on 29th December 2015 he and his owners did not fancy his horse to win and were quite surprised with its performance.

However, while noting his explanations he was informed that in view of his charge being interfered during its last engagement and being duly recorded in the racing incidents he was given a benefit of doubt at this instance.

Urine sample was taken for analysis from the winner MASTERN STEFANO  in the presence of Trainer  Irfan Ali and was sent for analytical test.