Trainer Raj Ramdin and his jockey Roland Boutanive had plenty to celebrate as they scored the first hat-tricks of their professional careers on Saturday. The party spirit was sadly dampened, however, as the good reputation of Mauritian Horseracing has taken a knock with the simmering unhappiness surrounding the ‘Monsieur Dane’ affair. In fact what started off as a routine enquiry about a jockey not riding to instructions, is now threatening to have far wider ranging repercussions.
Our regular readers will recall reading in SP 1675 of the riding of the horse Monsieur Dane at our 31st race-meeting by jockey Gaetan Faucon and how trainer Rampatee Gujadhur’s dissatisfaction led to Faucon being given the boot. Gujadhur is reportedly still unhappy and particularly at the way things have been reported by the Racing Stewards. The trainer has made it clear that it was he who reported jockey Gaëtan Faucon, as the latter did not follow his instructions. The trainer of the oldest stable on the island has gone on further to state that he believes that the fourth race of the 31st race meeting was ‘rigged’. After having met with the MTC, Ramapatee Gujadhur maintained his position and believes that there should be a full and impartial inquiry, though he regrets that the reputation of racing on the island has taken a big blow!
PATTERSON RECUSAL
The MTC wrote in a press release, that its managing board has assured trainer Ramapatee Gujadhur that they will always act in the best interests of protecting the integrity of racing. The Racing Stewards have underlined the importance of distinguishing between proven facts on one side and the perception and rumours on the other side. They have given the reassurance that any facts that are reported to them with proof, would be treated with the importance that it warrants while always keeping in mind the integrity of racing in Mauritius. Following the press release, trainer Ramapatee Gujadhur has said that he is not responsible for what has happened but, on the contrary, is a victim of the scandalous way the 4th race of the 31st race meeting took place. He has suggested that owing to a question of ethics, the Director of Racing Ian Paterson should have recused himself from the panel concerning the inquiry of the particular race as the Director of Racing had recommended jockey Gaëtan Faucon to the Racing Authority of Macau, where the Frenchman subsequently received an offer of a contract to ride.
Concerning the importance of distinguishing between proven facts, and the perceptions and rumours as stated by the MTC, trainer Ramapatee Gujadhur has said:: “While the Administrative Stewards have sought to underline the difference between facts and rumours and perceptions, I sincerely hope that this will not prevent anyone from investigating and digging out more ‘facts’.” Trainer Gujadhur says further that he is looking forward to the possibility of making a statement to the police, as he is concerned about his safety following his denunciation concerning the ‘Monsieur Dane affair’. According to our information, trainer Ramapatee Gujadhur gave a list of names during his meeting with the MTC.
KEEPING IT GAME
The main event of the day saw an easy win by Nishal Teeha riding the Serge Henry –trained Gamekeeper . From the start, Always A Pleasure was the fastest to hit the front and set a steady pace followed by Juanfra, Let’s Get Started , Gamekeeper on his outside, with Cormorant Pass and Burberry the back marker. In the back straight, Juanfra tried to edge out Always A Pleasure but as the pace was a fast one, Juanfra got caught wide. At the 600 metres mark, Gamekeeper was the first to make his move and he quickened readily to turn into the final straight in line with Always A Pleasure. Burberry was making good ground too. Always A Pleasure stayed on one paced as Gamekeeper cruised in for his fourth win of the season with his stable companion, Burberry finishing a good second.
Roland Boutanive had a memorable day as he recorded the first hat trick of his career on the island. Boutanive, who is actually associated with trainer Raj Ramdin, won on the long shot, Final Affair to win the first race from pillar to post. Final Affair had joined the Raj Ramdin stable only three weeks ago from Maigrot. Supersonic Jet who had been very unlucky throughout the race, dead heated for the second place with Mabrook. Boutanive made it another win in the next race with another outsider in Disclosed Duel. The latter travelled in midfield throughout and produced the better finish to pip Royal Ransom and a luckless Glen Hatt on the line to win. The Mauritian jockey then had to wait until the eighth race before he brought From My Heart through his field for an easy win. From My Heart travelled in midfield one off the fence throughout, allowing the favorite Mark Of Mariner to make the pace. From My Heart quickened nicely at the 600 metres mark and almost edged Mark Of Mariner before turning into the final straight. From My Heart then kept going well to win easily from Traiainius, who finished second.
WINNING STREAK
Imran Chisty continued his winning streak when he won with the odds-on favorite, Wolfe Tone in the third race The latter hit the front easily from the start and made every post a winning one. Wolfe Tone won easily from Imperial City. Another foreign jockey to visit the winner’s enclosure on Saturday was the Frenchman, Cédric Ségéon, with Inside Out. The consistent bay gelding trained by Ricky Maingard won easily as expected, as he proved too good for the field at the finish. Ségéon was recording his 25th win of the season and is now only six wins from leader Robbie Burke.
Yashin Emamdee was all smiles when he scored in the silks of trainer Rameshwar Gujadhur in the fourth race with Major Storm. The latter travelled among the back markers throughout until the 300 metres where he accelerated gradually. In the final straight, Made Of Money looked a winner but at the 100 metres mark he weakened and Major Storm, Kenny Tee , Foxtrot Oscar and Piece Of Paradise looked a threat. The duel was an interesting one, but Major Storm produced the better finish to win from Piece Of Paradise. Rye Joorawon, who looked to have a very good day as he was expecting to win at least two races, had to be satisfied with one only. He won on the odds- on favorite, Running On, in the fifth race. The former Kannemeyer- trained Running On travelled in second position throughout and accelerated nicely to win easily from Pardon Me Boy.
PEOPLE
Tow jockeys were fined for careless riding after the first race on Saturday. Jockey Imran Chisty, the rider of Good Time Charlie pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under MTC Rule 160 A (e) and was fined Rs.20, 000. Then Jockey Rye Joorawon, the rider of Cheerful News, also in the first race, pleaded guilty to a charge of careless iding under MTC Rule 160 A (e) and was fined Rs.20, 000. The Stewards opened an inquiry into the handling of Made Of Money in the fourth race. After taking evidence from trainer Serge Henry and apprentice Hoolash, the inquiry has been adjourned to Tuesday morning as we go to press. Jockey Glen Hatt, the rider of Let’s Get Started in the sixth race, was found guilty of contravening MTC Rule 160 A (e) for careless riding and was fined Rs.25, 000.
Jockey Johnny Geroudis, who is currently serving a week’s suspension, grabbed the break and the opportunity to fly to Johannesburg. He should be back at the Champ de Mars on Wednesday. Trainer Ricky Maingard is in South Africa to attend a conference on racing. He should be back by next week.
Jockey Corne Orffer, injured when riding Seattle Ice in ‘The Gold Cup’ last week, will not be able to finish the season at the Champ de Mars. The Frenchman , Edouard Lacaille, replaces the young South African jockey. Apparently Trainer Serge Henry initially wanted to sign up Gaëtan Faucon but trainer Ramapatee Gujadhur lodged an objection against the French jockey being allowed to continue to ride in Mauritius. Henry then opted for Edouard Lacaille.. Word has it that Glen Hatt could be back in Cape Town earlier than expected, as it is reported that he is not happy at the Perdrau stable.
MAURITIUS THIS WEEKEND
FINGAL’S CAVE LOOKS FOR THREE
The A.E.P.S President’s Trophy to be run over 1500m is the feature event of our thirty-third racemeeting next Saturday and the race looks at the mercy of the Maigrot charge, Fingal’s Cave, who will be looking to bag his third win in a row this season. The magnificent bay gelding, formerly trained by the high-riding Justin Snaith in Cape Town, is holding form nicely and should prove too good for his opponents despite the fact that he will have to carry a heavy mass. Modern Monet, Pick Six and Bright Stone are good outsiders.
Fingal’s Cave has lifted his game since arriving in Mauritius and he looks a class above this lot, as he proved in his last two starts when winning easily. He has already beaten the majority of his opponents and should make it three in a row on Saturday. Fingal’s Cave showed good track work on Friday and is holding nice form. All said and done, he should be the horse to beat.
Modern Monet is a consistent sort. He finished a good third in his last start over the 1400 metres and his chances over this distance over which he has won his only race this season are good. The Gujadhur charge is a good sort but if he is to beat Fingal’s Cave, his jockey will have to ensure that he has the first run on his opponents when turning into the final straight. The chestnut gelding is in a very good shape and a win is within his reach.
The once highly thought of Pick Six ran a very good race over the 1365 metres with apprentice Hoolash on board last time. The bay gelding could have finished much closer had apprentice Hoolash shown more vigor in the last 300 metres. The apprentice was sanctioned and suspended for a couple of meetings. Pick Six returns here after a month’s rest and looks cherry ripe to bag his first win in Mauritius. The distance should suit him and the son of Rambo Dancer just needs to be ridden intelligently.
Bright Stone is a consistent sort. The Mahess Ramdin charge is a strong front-runner. If he is allowed to set his own pace throughout without being put under pressure, he should be hard to catch. He is holding form nicely. Alvaro ran below expectation in his last start over 1850 metres. He stayed on very one paced but he could have suffered from the second run syndrome there. He looks fitter now with two runs under the belt and if showing further improvement, he could cause an upset. Cape Gold returns after a long absence. He has changed stables from Perdrau de Vincent Allet and he could need the run against far fitter horses. Stunning Do showed some improvement at home since his last run but he looks like he will struggle in this class.
Nominations: Alvaro, Cape Gold, Modern Monet, Stunning Do, Pick Six, Bright Stone, Fingal’s Cave
