Apprentice jockeys K. Deepesh and V. Kotwal have incurred the wrath of the RWITC Stewards and their riding licenses have been suspended for a varied term accordingly.

Apprentice K. Deepesh was pulled up by the RWITC stipes after he reported the loss of his whip astride Wine N’ Song, who lost by a length to Castle Beauty on Friday. The Stewards of the Meeting were not satisfied with the explanation tendered by K. Deepesh and held him guilty of not allowing his mount Wine N’ Song to run on its merit and suspend his riding license from 4th November 2003 till 18th April 2004. Since Deepesh was given a six-month suspended sentence when his mercy petition was allowed by the Stewards of the Club on 7 April 2001, he will have to undergo another six-month punishment in addition to the one he received for his crime astride Wine N’ Song. The Stewards of the Meeting have recommended the matter to the Stewards of the Club for any further action as they may deem fit.

V. Kotwal astride Maranello, incidentally, was pulled up for cutting across the field in the Pa Bear Plate and disturbing the whole field. On being called for questioning, RWITC senior stipe Shujaat Hussain found Kotwal under the influence of alcohol. Kotwal’s riding license was suspended from 4th November 2003 till 27th November 2003. As Kotwal admitted his guilt of being under the influence of alcohol, the Stewards decided to suspend him from 4th November 2003 till 29th February 2004. Both the above punishments will run concurrently.

It has been further reported that the fate of trainers Mansoor Shah and Dallas Todywalla will be decided by the RWITC authorities during a meeting to be held at Mumbai on Wednesday. There was no report forthcoming on this matter till the time of going to the press.