RING OF FIRE (centre) with Harriston Lewis in the saddle, winning last Saturday's ninth race over 1000m straight at Caymanas Park. The winner is trained by Robert Darby Jr. and owned by Royal Stables. Second was SHALOMI KUMAR (not in photograph) while ZEALOT (left) was third and VALID REASON (right) fourth. - Colin Hamilton

by Jimmie, Star Racing Writer

Dr. Paul Wright, who co-hosts Turf Talk for a local radio station, as well as live broadcast of racing from Caymanas Park, had the tyres on his vehicle slashed, allegedly by angry fans of a popular jockey at Caymanas Park two Saturdays ago.

The former Caymanas Track Limited (CTL) director yesterday confirmed the rear tyres on his vehicle were stabbed.

"Two tyres on my car were stabbed multiple times in the official car park and of course, nobody saw anything," he said.

"I had been receiving threatening phone calls from the Friday," Dr. Wright pointed out.

"Both callers were of the opinion that my continued comments on Turf Talk had caused Wesley 'Callaloo' Henry to get into trouble for his riding of Richard Azan's JAZZY JET."

Wright explained he had pointed out, on air, to co-host Lindy Delapenha that JAZZY JET was not being handled properly during the running of the first race on Easter Monday.

"I said to Lindy that JAZZY JET was running down the backstretch with her head turned sideways and in the stretch run she was running behind horses."

Wright said he again brought up the issue the following day on Turf Talk and received the threatening calls three days later.

"I got two phone calls, stating I was responsible for 'Callaloo' not getting any rides the next day," Dr. Wright pointed out.

His tyres were slashed the following day.

Wheels repaired

Dr. Wright said trainers Frank Parham and Tony Kirlew loaned him tyres and he afterwards went to an establishment run by trainer Harry Sital along nearby Newland Road, where his tyres were repaired.

Henry, who was summoned by the operations stewards for his handling of JAZZY JET, said he didn't hear the comments made by Dr. Wright.

"That's nothing new," said Henry. "He criticises jockeys and trainers, but these analysts must know how to approach certain things on the radio and not put things in people's minds because they don't know what happens with a horse in a race."

"I hear people saying they're disrespecting jockeys and trainers," Henry added.

"I won't stop pointing out these things," Dr. Wright said. "Somebody has to be serious about cleaning up racing because the authorities are doing nothing about it."

Although no official report has been made to the police, the Turf Talk host says the racing office at Caymanas Park is aware of the incident.

Henry was due to appear before the stewards yesterday to explain his riding of JAZZY JET.