20/06/2012  Happy Valley  Race 4

When being steadied to be taken across behind runners at the start, AMBITIOUS TREASURE got its head up on a number of occasions. After the 1200 Metres, GIVE WELL shifted out abruptly when being steadied away from the heels of TRAVEL BRAND which itself was awkwardly placed close to the heels of ALWAYS SOMETHING. After the 1100 Metres, THE UNTOUCHABLELAD was checked away from the heels of PERFECT CHEERS which itself was awkwardly placed close to the heels of YUE LU TREASURE. Rounding the Home Turn, PERFECT CHEERS was awkwardly placed inside the heels of FLYING IN. When questioned regarding his riding of ENTHUSING, O Doleuze stated that it was anticipated that tonight’s race would be run at a slow tempo and therefore he should allow ENTHUSING to take up a forward position. He added however he was instructed not to ride his mount along in the early stages as ENTHUSING had previously not finished off its races strongly when ridden in this manner. He said he had been advised by Mr R Gibson, the trainer of the horse, that it was acceptable to him to remain racing three wide should he find himself in this position as it was more preferable than having the horse ridden along to obtain a forward position. He said in accordance with his instructions, he began positively on ENTHUSING and allowed the horse to take up a forward position without riding it along. He said passing the winning post on the first occasion he was left racing in a three wide position without cover to the outside of FLYING IN. He said although the tempo of the race at this time was slow, he allowed ENTHUSING to improve of its own accord if it was possible having in mind his instructions not to ride the horse along. He said it was hoped that ENTHUSING would be able to gradually improve its position, however, after the 1200 Metres ENTHUSING was not able to improve sufficiently to clear FLYING IN without him having to make use of the horse even though the race was being run at a slow tempo. He added, bearing in mind that he had been told it was acceptable to race three wide, he did not make any significant use of ENTHUSING to improve its position around FLYING IN in an attempt to clear that horse and race outside the leader, YUE LU TREASURE. He said that ENTHUSING travelled satisfactorily in the early stages and after the 1000 Metres he shifted ENTHUSING away from the hindquarters of FLYING IN to see if the horse would improve its position away from runners on his inside. He said when he did this, ENTHUSING initially improved its position well, however, FLYING IN continued to maintain its position to his inside. He said near the 800 Metres the tempo quickened and for this reason ENTHUSING was not able to gradually improve in order to cross to a position closer to the rail. He said he commenced to ride ENTHUSING along prior to the 600 Metres and in the Straight the horse stayed on one-paced in the run to the finishing line. Trainer Gibson confirmed the instructions and stated that he had specifically instructed Jockey Doleuze not to make use of ENTHUSING in the early stages as he felt that had this tactic been adopted ENTHUSING would not have been able to close off the race. He also confirmed that he specifically advised Jockey Doleuze that he envisaged that due to the tempo of the race, the scenario of him being caught three wide may eventuate, but irrespective of this he felt that it was a better option for the horse to be travelling comfortably rather than having to be used up and not being able to finish off the race. He added that these instructions were given in the presence of, and with the full agreement, the owners of the horse. He said that he was satisfied with the manner in which ENTHUSING was ridden tonight having in mind the specific instructions he had issued to Jockey Doleuze in respect of the manner in which the horse should be ridden. O Doleuze was advised that whilst the Stewards accepted that he had been under specific instructions as to how ENTHUSING should be ridden tonight, nonetheless they were of the opinion that he should have made some effort in the early stages in an attempt to improve his position and therefore race closer to the rail rather than being required to race three wide and without cover for the remainder of the race, particularly given the slow tempo in the early and middle stages. PERFECT CHEERS, YUE LU TREASURE and FLYING IN were sent for sampling.