Sounds everything got pretty heated. This from SMH
Shinn cops ban after dangerous race ride
Craig Young
May 17, 2012
TROUBLED jockey Blake Shinn was deemed by Racing NSW stewards to have placed rival Brenton Avdulla ''in severe danger on two occasions'' in a rough-house race at Canterbury yesterday.
''I thought it was absolutely disgusting,'' Avdulla told Racing NSW stewards during a lengthy inquiry, which resulted in Shinn being banned for six weeks on the rare ''improper riding'' charge.
An irate Avdulla had to be dragged away from Shinn on returning to the jockeys' room and the pair exchanged heated words on the way out for the final event.
Acting chief steward Marc Van Gestel said ''at the end of the day we encourage competitive riding'' but Shinn's navigation just about ''tipped over the line''.
''I'd say it is an act of God he [Avdulla's mount Glenstal Abbey] doesn't clip heels,'' Van Gestel said.
A Melbourne Cup and Sydney premiership winner, Shinn returned late last year after being outed for 13 months when stewards found he had placed more than $500,000 in wagers.
Shinn also missed the winning ride on Sebring in the 2008 Golden Slipper because of a careless-riding ban. A month later, he was suspended after testing positive to banned stimulant ephedrine.
Yesterday's inquiry arose after the Thai Chay Handicap in which Shinn rode Halfwaytolondon into sixth, while Avdulla was on runner-up Glenstal Abbey. Stewards grilled Shinn about his riding from the turn into the back straight where he positioned his mount outside of Glenstal Abbey, which was outside of the leader Signoret. Video footage over about 700 metres showed Halfwaytolondon and Glenstal Abbey rebounding off each other on eight occasions.
Tom Berry and apprentice Josh Adams, who rode in the race, were interviewed about shifting off the track at about the 600m. ''I think Josh had the same idea as me, he didn't want to be behind those two up front,'' Berry said.
Other riders were left fuming knowing Glenstal Abbey was lucky to stay on his feet but Shinn vigorously defended his riding style. ''I elected to slide up outside the leader,'' Shinn said.
''In doing so the horse Brenton Avdulla was on came out and made contact with my mount. He buffeted my horse a couple of times, I just tried to hold my line.''
''Did you turn your horse's head in?'' Van Gestel asked.
''I was riding competitively to hold my line,'' Shinn replied.
Avdulla said the video ''is pretty self explanatory'' and added he ''rolled off'' the fence to position his mount to the outside of the leader. ''Blake made first contact,'' Avdulla said. ''He tried to angle me in. He persisted in trying to push me back across [Signoret's] heels. I don't know what you call it, bumping.''
''It is fair to say heavy contact,'' Van Gestel said.
In regard to Avdulla moving outside the leader, Van Gestel asked Shinn: ''Isn't that an acceptable racing manoeuvre''.
''I felt I caught Brenton Avdulla napping,'' Shinn said. ''I'm just holding my line, he is half asleep on his horse. I'm in a position to dictate … ''
''Do you turn your horse's head in?'' Van Gestel said, to which Shinn replied ''yes''.
''My intention wasn't to jam it back to the fence,'' Shinn said.
''Don't we again see you turn your horse's head in?'' Van Gestel said. ''[And] Make substantial contact with Glenstal Abbey.''
''I've rolled back in to assume my position,'' Shinn said.
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http://www.smh.com.au/sport/horseracing/shinn-cops-ban-after-dangerous-race-ride-20120516-1yr8d.html#ixzz1v5EkOyGJ