1

BIG STAR (App Rupal Singh) arrived late to the start thereby delaying the proceedings of the race. Tr. Raunak Banerji was advised to ensure that his chage arrives on time in future.

ALIEN (Md Shabbani) and LANCASTER (C S Jodha) were slow to begin.

Tr. Raunak Banerji when afforded an opportunity to explain the improved performance of his charge BIG STAR (App Rupal Singh), the winner of this race, as compared to its previous outing in Race No.114 held on 30th September, 2018 wherein for all practical purpose the colt had finished last (six lengths behind the field) as b g OUTRIDER had planted and took no active part in the race, stated that :-

a) The colt does not like to run on the rails as such he had instructed the rider to make his run on the wide outside so that it does not receive any interference.

b) The change of equipment was also an advantage to the colt.

The Stipendiary Stewards after reviewing the positioning of the colt in its previous runs i.e., Race No.18, 86 & 114 and the statement of the Trainer regarding change of equipment as one of the reasons for the improved performance, were not satisfied with the explanations tendered by Tr. Raunak Banerji and decided to fine him a sum of Rs. 15,000/- for the inconsistent/improved performance of his charge b c BIG STAR within a short period of nine days.

Mr. Bharath Singh, the trainer of b g STORM FRONT (App R S Bhati, drawn 5), expressed his displeasure regarding the riding of App R S Bhati in that the apprentice failed to follow his instructions when told to place his mount in the 2nd/3rd position during the initial part of the race. App R S Bhati on questioning corroborated the Trainer’s instructions and stated that at the initial stages of the race he could not position his mount as instructed as he was inconvenienced by BIG STAR (App Rupal Singh, drawn 4). The Stipendiary Stewards while noting the explanation of App R S Bhati advised him in the presence of Tr. Bharath Singh to be more proactive and make every attempt for a quick recovery from any inconvenience thay may happen to him during the running of the race so that he may follow instructions given by the Trainer. No further action was taken by the Stipendiary Stewards.