Rien ne va plus chez l’écurie Maingard. A sa longue traversée du désert est venue s’ajouter une suspension de deux journées, dont a écopée son nouveau jockey sud-africain Andrew Fortune, ce matin mardi 15 octobre, pour sa monte sur le cheval Count Emmanuale dans la 5^e course de samedi dernier.

Au terme d’une enquête serrée ce matin, les commissaires n’ont pas été convaincus par les explications du jockey Andrew Fortune et celles de son entraîneur Ricky Maingard par rapport à la façon dont le cheval Count Emmanuale, arrivé deuxième derrière Smitten dans la 5^e course de la 32^e journée samedi dernier, a été piloté.

Ce coursier avait arraché le commandement de la course peu avant le 1000m et avait imprimé un train rapide à l’épreuve. Le jockey Fortune avait, par la suite, demandé un effort prématuré à sa monture peu avant le dernier tournant. C’est surtout sa décision de « partir » au 400m qui a été à l’origine de ses deux semaines de suspension, une sanction contre laquelle il donne avis d’appel.

Le rapport des commissaires relatif à cette enquête se lit comme suit :

« The Stewards questioned trainer Maingard and jockey Fortune in relation to the handling of Count Emmanuale. Trainer Maingard explained the gelding was lightly raced and after consideration of its good performance at its last start the stable was confident of a forward showing. He was of the opinion that Smitten was the hardest to beat and felt its best chance would be to endeavour to race forward of that horse. Jockey Fortune explained his mount jumped well and went forward and was able to secure the lead approaching the 1000 metres, however, at the crossing, the gelding was reluctant to maintain momentum. As such, he put pressure on his mount at the various crossings and in the home straight held on well to finish 2^nd. After viewing the films, trainer Maingard was of the opinion that  Count Emmanuale had been able to lead comfortably without being pressured and the reason he raced well clear of the field is that the other riders made no effort to maintain their position. He added that jockey Fortune might have erred in asking his mount for a final effort leaving the 400 metres. Jockey Fortune confirmed that his mount was able to lead without effort and when he asked his mount to improve from approaching the 400 metres, he was unaware of how clear of the field he was and, after viewing the films, agreed that it could appear that he had gone too early but added he did not feel that this affected the result of the race as his mount held on to finish 2^nd. After consideration, jockey Fortune was found guilty to contravening MTC Rule 160 A (i) for failing to ride Count Emmanuale to the satisfaction of the Stewards, the particulars being that from approaching the 450 metres to the home turn he put undue pressure on his mount when well clear of the field and actually used his whip passing the 400 metres. He was subsequently suspended from riding in races for two Mauritian race meetings and fined Rs.25,000.”