Results – Kolkata

ROYAL ONE (App Nikhil Naidu) was fractious while being stalled. CURTIS (App P Vikram) and LAND OF GLORY (Sk Israil) were fractious in their respective stalls. TOP GUN (Dashrath Singh) and HEARTS ON FIRE (C Alford) were slow to begin. When afforded an opportunity to explain the poor performance of her charge b f HEARTS ON FIRE, Trainer Ms. Arti Doctor stated that she was disappointed and could offer no plausible explanation for the extremely poor performance of the filly. She further stated that the filly had worked very impressively and hence was fancied strongly to win by the stable. On questioning Jockey C Alford expressed the same sentiments as the Trainer and added that he had to ease up his mount passing the distance post as she appeared to be under some stress. The filly was examined by the Veterinary Officer soon after the race who reported that no ailment was noticed. A post race urine sample of the filly was taken for analysis. Subsequent to the race day the Veterinary Officer reported that on endoscopic examination no abnormality was noticed. Tr. Ms. Arti Doctor was advised to keep her charge under observation and report ailment, if any.

I AM LEGEND (Vinay Jaiswal) was slow to begin.

ch c PROLIFIC VISIT, an acceptor in the above race, was scoped by the Veterinary Officer on the morning of 19th November, 2017 and was found to have bled from the trachea. Under the circumstances the colt was permitted to be withdrawn on veterinary grounds. Tr. Raunak Banerji was informed not to accept with his charge until certified fit by the Veterinary Officer. YAMAZAKI (Hindu Singh) was show to begin losing approximately four lengths at the start and finished off the race detached from the field. Jockey Sk. Zaffar Riaz, the rider of DESERT CAT, was severely reprimanded for travelling wide off the field for no apparent reason while negotiating the bend.

RISING FROM ASHES (App Hasib Alam) refused to be stalled. Under the circumstances the gelding was withdrawn before coming under Starter’s orders. The Starting Stall Certificate has been revoked by the Starter. DAKOTA DREAMER (B Mahesh) was slow to begin. BAMBINI FESTA (S John) which arrived late the start was slow to begin losing approximately 5-6 lengths at the start. Tr. Javed Khan was advised to ensure that his charge arrives on time in future and further informed not to accept with his charge until it was shown to the satisfaction of the Starter in a barrier trial during the hours of morning track work. HIBIKI (App R S Bhati) jumped awkwardly ‘outwards’ from the gates unbalancing its rider and thereafter took no practical part in the race. In view of its behaviour Tr. Raunak Banerji was advised not to accept with his charge until shown to the satisfaction of the Starter in a barrier trial during the hours of morning track work. Jockey T S Jodha, the rider of ARTISTE ROYAL, was fined a sum of Rs. 3,000/- for excessive use of the whip (1st offence). App S Lalit, the rider of ARION, was suspended from riding in races on 28th November and 2nd December, 2017 for excessive use of the whip (3rd offence).

For accepting with his charge b m MAJESTIC in the race while under medication, Tr. Shafiq Khan was fined a sum of Rs. 2,000/-. Subsequently the mare was permitted to be withdrawn. AMBLESIDE (Zarar Alam), RUSTLER (Shezad Khan), JORDANA (Jugnu Gurung) and UPTOWN GIRL (App Nikhil Naidu) were slow to begin. Passing the distance post CELERINO (Md Azharuddin) making progress in the middle of the track had to be checked by its rider when ROMAN FLAME (B Mahesh) was carried ‘outwards’ by AYRA’S PET (Dashrath Singh). At a subsequent enquiry Jockey Dashrath Singh was shown the CCTV replay of the race and severely reprimanded for failing to exercise adequate control over his mount when placing it under pressure.

ZANDER (Vinay Jaiswal), THE TALISMAN (S John) and AQUITANIA (App P Vikram) arrived late to the start. Trs. Vikash Jaiswal, Vijay Singh and Patrick Quinn were advised to ensure that their respective charges arrive on time in future. KNIGHTHOOD (App Sujit Kr. Paswan) was slow to begin. THE TALISMAN (S John) was observed to have been denied a clear run till the final stages of the race due to a closely packed field. The Veterinary Officer reported that KNIGHTHOOD returned with a cut injury on left hind.

DESERT FALCON (Md Islam) which arrived late to the start thereby delaying the proceedings of the race stood flat footed as the start was given losing approximately six lengths at the start. The Starting Stall Certificate has been revoked by the Starter. Tr. Bharath Singh was advised to ensure that his charge arrives to the start on time in future. PERFECT BALANCE (Afzal Khan) was slow to begin. Tr. Patrick Quinn and Jockey Afzal Khan were interviewed regarding the running and riding of ch f PERFECT BALANCE. The Jockey stated that he was instructed to hold a favourable position in the early stages of the race but due to the filly’s slow exit from its Stall No. 13 and thereafter momentarily shifting ‘outwards’ he was unable to make quick progress towards the rail side. Consequently while negotiating the bend he was trapped wide off the field, despite which, he made some progress. Tr. Patrick Quinn when queried stated that he was of the same opinion as the Jockey. The Stipendiary Stewards while noting their explanations informed Mr. Afzal Khan that he was being given a grave benefit of doubt with respect to the start of the filly and its subsequent running pattern soon after the start. He was also strongly advised to be very careful in the handling of his mounts in future as he had been cautioned on a number of occasions. Tr. Patrick Quinn was informed that he too should be very careful with regard to the running of his charges as he had been cautioned on a number of occasions earlier. The Veterinary Officer reported that WARPATH returned bleeding from both nostrils. Tr. Shafiq Khan was advised not to accept with his charge until certified fit by the Veterinary Officer.