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Trainer Bezan Chenoy and Jockey S.N.Chavan were questioned regarding the running and riding of ORIENTAL CHARM (IRE) and the matter was reported to the Stewards since the Jockey had waited far too long to make his move.

The Stewards interviewed Trainer Bezan Chenoy and Jockey S.N.Chavan. Trainer Bezan Chenoy stated that he had instructed the Jockey to settle the filly and wait as long as possible and to get into the race from 400 metres. Also, he had told the Jockey not to use the whip since the filly is temperamental and does not like the whip. He said that the Jockey rode as per instructions, he has waited as long as possible since the filly was travelling well but the moment he put pressure, she started lugging out and the Jockey got panicked and went for the stick. He said that this was only the second run of the filly’s career and in her first run in Pune in The F.D.Wadia Trophy she had run a good race with Jockey T.S.Jodha and even in that race he had told Jockey T.S.Jodha not to use the whip but the boy had used the whip and the filly had lugged out in a similar manner.

The video recording of the race was viewed and it was put to Trainer Bezan Chenoy that the Jockey would have been better off by letting the horse stride out in the early part of the straight. Trainer Bezan Chenoy said that he had told the Jockey to wait as long as possible and it was up to the Jockey when to make his move. He said the filly was travelling well and the Jockey was confident of winning the race and he has waited as long as possible but the moment he put pressure the filly lugged out. He said that the Jockey had explained to him that he felt if he had made his move earlier, the filly would have gone ahead and stopped.

Jockey S.N.Chavan said that even at work, the filly passes other horses and then stops abruptly and therefore he waited on her as long as possible  but the moment he put pressure she started hanging out.

After viewing the video recording of the race, the explanation tendered by Trainer and Jockey was noted.

After the race, ORIENTAL CHARM (IRE) was found to be sound.