Dragon Stable and Richard Lines part ways

PENANG,  19 May 2005

The powerful Dragon Stable and trainer Richard Lines have parted ways. This has been confirmed by the Penang based English trainer.

The split came as a result of the "Royal Bay incident". The Fasliyev three-year-old, who has won his previous two starts, finished a smack-up fourth in a Class 3, Div 3 - 1400m sprint in Penang in March 27 after which the owner wrote to the press urging the Stipendiary Stewards to look into the handling of the horse by jockey Grant Cooksley.

The Stewards on April 15 concluded their inquiry into the running and handling of ROYAL BAY and Cooksley "was advised that his riding at the relevant sections of race were of concern. However in all the circumstances, which included due regard given to the adverse veterinary report of ROYAL BAY, the Stewards could not be comfortably satisfied that his handling of the gelding was blameworthy to the requisite standard of proof that a charge ought to be laid under the races and running rules. However, notwithstanding the above, G Cooksley was warned that in slightly different circumstances, there may have been a prima facie case for him to answer under the said enactments."

ROYAL BAY and most other horses owned by Dragon Stable have now been transferred to leading trainer Cecil Robert. They include LITTLE EMPEROR who is racing under his new trainer in Penang this meeting.

To recap, the full report of the inquiry is as follows:

The Stewards on 15 April 2005, concluded their inquiry into the running and handling of ROYAL BAY in the above race.

Written evidence was tendered from Mr K L Tan, owner of ROYAL BAY, which in part stated that he had significantly supported the gelding in this event. Also, he along with trainer R Lines expressed concern relative to G Cooksley's handling of ROYAL BAY with particular reference to the final 300m.

Videos of ROYAL BAY's previous four starts were viewed including the gelding’s most recent barrier test at Penang on 5 April 2005, which showed that after entering the home straight well off the fence, the horse was inclined to hang in and shifted into a position along the inside running rail.

G Cooksley explained from about the 500m, he commenced to make his run to the outside of BLUE MARINE and straightened up passing the 400m approximately five-deep at which time he immediately pulled the whip. He said that while racing about one length behind, and to the outside of BLUE MARINE, his mount began responding to his efforts, but was not making up ground as quickly as he had hoped.

He stated that while in this position close to the heels of BLUE MARINE, ROYAL BAY, which was inclined to lay in, was carried out some additional four horses by that runner until after the 250m. He added that as he remained awkwardly placed and as he anticipated BLUE MARINE would continue to shift out and take his line of running, he decided approaching the 200m to shift in across the heels of BLUE MARINE and continue his run to its inside and save ground. However, when he committed himself behind BLUE MARINE, that horse simultaneously shifted in, impacting ROYAL BAY for some distance.

He said that as a result his mount then commenced to hang in away from BLUE MARINE, when endeavouring to find the fence and as he is not proficient with the whip in his left hand, he did not change it over which prevented him from riding the horse out with his normal vigour. He also stated that once ROYAL BAY had joined the inside running rail near the 100m, he re-applied adequate whip pressure, however over the last three strides he felt his mount was unduly tiring and as IT ALL TAKES TIME had headed him, he did not consider it necessary to give ROYAL BAY a final push in the last stride.

G Cooksley conceded though, that with the benefit of hindsight, the preferable option would have been to remain outside BLUE MARINE approaching the 200m.

An endoscopic examination of ROYAL BAY conducted immediately after the races by Dr Edward Samuel, PNTC Senior Veterinary Surgeon, revealed that the gelding was suffering from grade two respiratory distress. According to Dr Edward Samuel, this would have negatively impacted on ROYAL BAY’s performance. He also gave evidence that over the distance of this event the condition may have occurred after the 1000m.

After consideration, G Cooksley was advised that his riding at the relevant sections of race were of concern. However in all the circumstances, which included due regard given to the adverse veterinary report of ROYAL BAY, the Stewards could not be comfortably satisfied that his handling of the gelding was blameworthy to the requisite standard of proof that a charge ought to be laid under the races and running rules. However, notwithstanding the above, G Cooksley was warned that in slightly different circumstances, there may have been a prima facie case for him to answer under the said enactments.