Pune 28th selections.

When TEQUILA was disqualified after winning Race No. 37 on 1st Aug 2010.

At the behest of the Stipendiary Stewards, a Stewards Enquiry was held in this race. The reason being, near 1000 metres Jockey Neeraj Rawal (TAKESTWOTOTANGO) whose saddle had slipped, shifted out. Soon thereafter, Jockey Ladjadj Stephane (TEQUILA, placed first), was observed to have pushed Jockey Neeraj Rawal forcefully with his right hand. After considering the submissions made by the Jockeys concerned, in conjunction with that of the Stipendiary Stewards and relying on their judgment, the Stewards decided to disqualify TEQUILA (placed first) for foul riding and to revise the order of placing of the race as under :-
CLOUD COVER      -   FIRST;    DIVINE    -   THIRD;
BELLIGERENT       -   SECOND;   RED DRAGON -   FOURTH
In the above connection, Jockey Ladjadj Stephane has been asked to meet the Stewards next week for foul riding.

When TEQUILA won the race on 21st Aug 2010 in Race No. 82

Jockey Ladjadj Stephane (TEQUILA) has been cautioned for showing victory sign before passing the Winning Post.

And now

RE : STEWARDS ENQUIRY IN RACE NO.37 – THE HURRICANE PLATE RUN ON 1ST AUGUST, 2010 – JOCKEY LADJADJ STEPHANE, RIDER OF “TEQUILA” – FOUL RIDING :
The Stewards of the Club at their meeting held on Saturday, 14th August, 2010 interviewed Jockey Ladjadj Stephane, the rider of TEQUILA along with his Spokesman, Mr.Narendra Lagad, for foul riding in the above race. The Stewards considered the submissions made by Jockey Ladjadj Stephane/his Spokesman as also his witness Jockey Neeraj Rawal. They also considered an apology letter dated 1st August, 2010 from Jockey Ladjadj Stephane for his behavior in the Stewards Room on 1st August, 2010. Having viewed the video recording of Race No.37 (all angles) in slow as well as in normal motion, as also the blow up of the incident and having deliberated on the matter, the Stewards were not satisfied with the explanation tendered by Jockey Ladjadj Stephane in the subject case and held him guilty of foul riding on his mount TEQUILA. However, keeping in mind the plea made by him/his Spokesman, the Stewards took a lenient view in the matter and decided to suspend his Jockey’s license w.e.f. 29th August, 2010 till the end of Pune Meeting 2010 (both days inclusive) (Not permitted to ride work).

We, the race goers will psychologically tend to believe that Jockey Ladjadj Stephane will go all out today to win most of the races. Can he do it?

Race 1
6. NATIONAL IKON Flew in to finish a good close 3rd to My Pet Honey in his last run.Very well prepared with a +ve jockey switch in Imran Chisty . Should win.
2. EMERALD VALLEY A bad jumper.
1. ASTON MARTIN Withdrawn on compassionate grounds, is showing a lot of improvement in his latest spurt.

Race 2
6. FROST FAIRY Nicely gambled in her last appearance to throw away her Jockey Patel Trevor on the way to the start, only to be withdrawn. Has 2 Mock Races to her credit.
8. FLYING JEWEL Is running on demotion with solid preparation.
 1. POUND FOOLISH A good 2nd to Mia Stella in her last run.

Race 3
2. SHOWSTOPPER Conqueror of Cest La Vie in her last start. Earlier had finished a close 2nd to Su Chaliyo.
1. PROUD STAR Conqueror of Adam’s Law.
4. ROYAL PORTHCAWL Flew in to finish a good close 2nd to Spellbinder. Very well prepared.

Race 4
1. STAR EMPIRE As an odds on favourite, might have required her last run for having suffered with Laryngeal Abnormality.
3. ZARACHA Is showing out in workouts.
4. DELPHI A fair 3rd to Amouresque. Trackwork not encouraging.

Race 5
5. COSMOPOLITAN At a tidy weight.
4. STAR PRESENTATION After his withdrawal for being sore by the left hind leg, is having the credit of being well weighted and waited.

Race 6
5. BEYOND STARS
4. DEEP PURPLE

Race 7
3. STARRER Has improved a lot after his last run.
6. BLAU HIMMEL At a feather weight.
2. MOON FARER Very well prepared for an encore.

Race 8
5. OH CALCUTTA Very well prepared for an encore.
1. STRELITZIA Came flying to whisk Flaming Arrow on post. In great form but top weight might be a bother.

Race 9
2. SUPERIOR QUEST Had beaten Serenity in Mumbai over the same trip. Todays weights are in his favour.
3. BLUE THUNDER Came flying to be close to Semper Eadem. Will fight.
1. SERENITY Touted as bred in the purple. Is likely to struggle.

Race 10
6. BULLET Conqueror of the odds on Star Empire in his last run. Can complete a hat-trick.
5. BLAZING SPECTACLE Flew in at the last part in the hands of whipless Kavraj Singh. Whip happy Imran Khan will fight back.
7. BRIGHT FUTURE Not a bright idea for win.

Race 11
1. MIDSUMMER KNIGHT Well prepared on demotion. The benefit of a Mock Race could help.
4. ROYAL HIGHNESS A winner and then a graded runner. Has a good chance to score.
2. BLUE KNIGHT Winner on debut as a 4 year old. Can defy the penalty.

Days best (1-6) NATIONAL IKON

Good luck.