The Stewards today interviewed Trainer Derek Cruz and Club Jockey Olivier Doleuze regarding the contents of an article which appeared in this morning's South China Morning Post.  In particular, the Stewards questioned both parties regarding criticism by Mr Cruz of Jockey Doleuze's handling of GOOD BA BA in the Stewards' Cup conducted at Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday, 31 January 2010.

Mr Cruz stated that whilst he had not given any specific instructions to Jockey Doleuze on how GOOD BA BA should be ridden in the stated race, he did advise Jockey Doleuze that he hoped GOOD BA BA would be "in front of two or three horses".  He said he was disappointed that GOOD BA BA, which had drawn the outside barrier, had travelled at the rear of the field.  Jockey Doleuze stated that after beginning well from the outside barrier, he formed the opinion early in the race that GOOD BA BA would not be able to race in a more forward position without being obliged to race wide and possibly without cover.  He said for this reason he elected to allow GOOD BA BA to settle at the rear of the field, following COLLECTION, a horse he considered to be one of the main chances.  He said having in mind the fact that GOOD BA BA was drawn wide and the anticipated tempo of the race, he believed that he was left with no reasonable option other than to allow GOOD BA BA to settle at the rear of the field.  He further stated his belief that his decision to allow GOOD BA BA to settle at the rear of the field with cover was justified as it was apparent to him after the race that GOOD BA BA would have been required to travel wide and without cover were it to be ridden in a more forward position.

On the day of the race, the Stewards took no exception to Jockey Doleuze's handling of GOOD BA BA.  After viewing the video with both Mr Cruz and Jockey Doleuze today, the Stewards confirm that they are not critical of any aspect of Jockey Doleuze's ride, given the horse's wide barrier draw, GOOD BA BA's usual racing pattern, the likelihood of GOOD BA BA being required to race wide and without cover had it been ridden more forward, the fact that GOOD BA BA followed a favoured runner in COLLECTION, and that the tempo of the race was always likely to be strong.

During the course of the interview, the Stewards also questioned Mr Cruz and Jockey Doleuze regarding various comments attributed to them in the stated newspaper article, particularly those attributed to Jockey Doleuze.  The Stewards advised Jockey Doleuze that whilst they were cognizant of the fact that he had apologized to Mr Cruz during the course of today's interview and had shown a high level of contrition for the comments made in the article, he nevertheless should at all times be mindful of his requirement to ensure that he conducts himself in the best interests of racing.  Further, both Mr Cruz and Jockey Doleuze were reminded of their obligations as licensees to conduct themselves properly at all times irrespective of the circumstances they may find themselves in.

飛起杜杜,用都仔:rrr:

受薪董事小組召見練馬師告達理及騎師杜利萊
2010年2月19日

受薪董事小組今日召見練馬師告達理及馬會騎師杜利萊，查詢有關在今天南華早報所載一篇文章的內容。小組主要就告達理對杜利萊於1月31日星期日沙田賽事中策騎「好爸爸」競逐董事盃的處理方法所作評論，向雙方作出問話。
告達理表示，雖然他沒有就杜利萊在有關賽事中如何策騎「好爸爸」給予明確指示，但他曾對杜利萊表示，他希望「好爸爸」能居於「尾三至尾四位置」競逐。告達理對於是賽抽排外檔的「好爸爸」沿途留居包尾位置表示失望。杜利萊表示，該駒自外檔出閘順利後，他於早段已認為，若要「好爸爸」居於較前位置競逐，該駒將被迫在外疊競跑，並可能沒有遮擋。因此，他選擇讓「好爸爸」留居包尾位置，跟隨在他認為是該賽主要爭勝分子之一的「閒話一句」之後。他說，考慮到「好爸爸」排在外檔，以及賽事的預期步速，他相信除了讓「好爸爸」留居包尾位置競跑外，已別無其他合理選擇。杜利萊進一步表示，他認為決定讓「好爸爸」在有遮擋下留居包尾位置是合理的，因為從事後角度看，他認為假如讓「好爸爸」居於較前位置競逐，「好爸爸」便會被迫走外疊而沒有遮擋。
賽事當日，小組對杜利萊策騎「好爸爸」的方法沒有異議。小組今日與告達理及杜利萊一起觀看賽事影片後，確證他們對於杜利萊的騎法任何一方面均沒有不滿，他們已考慮到該駒排在外檔、該駒的慣常跑法、假如讓牠居於較前位置競跑便會被迫走外疊而且沒有遮擋的可能性、牠已跟隨熱門分子「閒話一句」競逐這個事實以及賽事步速應會偏快等因素。
在問話期間，小組亦向告達理及杜利萊查詢有關報導中據說是他們兩人所作出的各項評論，尤其是杜利萊所作出的評論。小組告誡杜利萊，儘管他已於今日問話期間向告達理道歉，並對其被該報導所引述的言論深表悔意，他仍然應時刻留意其行為必須符合賽馬事業的利益。此外，告達理及杜利萊均獲提醒，他們作為持有牌照人士，不論在任何情況下，均須行為恰當。