THE result of yesterday’s top-rated race, an Overnight Allowance event on the 10-race programme at Caymanas Park, was decided in the steward’s room.

Rio Cobre (Robert Halledeen astride) past the post first by a neck in front of Janiboutice (Paul Francis up), but after a lengthy stewards’ inquiry and a jockey’s objection by Francis, the popular green and black colours of Rio Cobre’s owner Derrick Smith were lowered and the race awarded to the Richard Azan-conditioned and Elite Bloodstock Limited-owned Janiboutice.

The notice from the stewards following the disqualification stated they had taken the action due to intimidation and interference caused approaching the final bend of the 1,000-metre round event for three-year-olds and upward.

Prince Andrew (Winston Griffiths aboard), who was outpaced at the start, came flying in the closing stages of the race to be third in a bang-up finish.

Official Report, the mount of Oneil Mulling, who was always prominent in the race, ended up in fourth position.

The winning time was 1:00:1 minutes with margins a neck by a neck.

Janiboutice was the third winner for Francis, who earlier won aboard Geisha’s Glory in the third race and Merlin in the seventh race. Both horses are trained by Edward Walker.

Another highlight on the day was the running of the Lime Statemall feature which went to Junior Don (Sadiki Blake up) in run-away fashion over 1,000 metres straight.

Junior Don was three lengths in front of Meritone (Rayan Wilson in the saddle) and Wild Native (Ruja Lahoe aboard) in a fast 0:58:3 seconds.

Racing continues on Wednesday.