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b m NAUMEE (Shrikant Kamble) was examined by the Veterinary Officer behind the starting gates and was found to be lame on left hind. Under the circumstances the mare was withdrawn before coming under Starter’s orders. Tr. Aashay Doctor was informed not to accept with his charge until certified fit by the Veterinary Officer.

AQUITANIA (J Chinoy) and UNCROWNED KING (Jugnu Gurung) were slow to begin. CARRALISA (B Mahesh) jumped awkwardly from the gates.

Immediately after the running of the race Jockey S John, the rider of b g MULTIPLE, was interviewed by the Stipendiary Stewards and was requested to talk them through the race. The Jockey stated that :-

a) He was instructed to restrain the gelding from leading the field during the early and middle stages of the race, and that his efforts to do so was clearly visible in those stages ;

b) On entering the straight he was instructed to hold back his challenge as long as possible as the gelding had a very short burst of speed, and that this effort too was clearly visible in the CCTV replay of the race.

c) He rode his mount as instructed but in hindsight his mount would have performed marginally better had he ridden it according to his judgment.

The Stipendiary Stewards then interviewed Trainer Mr. Vijay Singh who corroborated the statements of the Jockey regarding his instructions and emphasized that the instructions were formulated after the gelding’s performance in Race No. 98 wherein it had just lost. The Stipendiary Stewards informed Jockey S John that the tender handling of his mount for about a 100 metres on entering the straight was very suspect more so since the eventual winner had made quick progress to take a sizeable lead on the field during that stage of the race. However, he was being given the benefit of a grave doubt in this instance. Tr. Vijay Singh was informed to ensure that his charges are ridden in such a manner that leaves no room for query and that his instructions to his Jockeys are more fluid in future.

Jockey Jugnu Gurung, the rider of UNCROWNED KING, was reprimanded for the indifferent handling of his mount during the final stages of the race.

The Veterinary Officer reported that MAHASUVI returned bleeding from both nostrils. Tr. J E Mckeown was informed not to accept with his charge until certified fit by the Veterinary Officer.