29/12/2013  Shatin  Race 3

Prior to this race, the Club’s Head of Racing Laboratory, Dr T S M Wan, notified the Stewards that a pre-race urine sample he had analysed earlier that day had indicated the presence of a prohibited substance. It was subsequently established that the relevant sample was taken from GOOD DIRECTIONS, a declared runner in this race. Dr Wan advised that the preliminary analysis of the sample had shown the presence of the prohibited substance Methylsufonylmethane which is found in a number of authorised feed supplements able to be used with restrictions in the lead up to raceday. Mr C W Chang, the trainer of GOOD DIRECTIONS, was interviewed regarding this matter. After receiving verbal evidence from Dr Wan, the Stewards acceded to a request from Mr Chang to withdraw GOOD DIRECTIONS from this race. Accordingly, GOOD DIRECTIONS was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. A further urine sample was subsequently taken from GOOD DIRECTIONS under post-race conditions. The matter was adjourned until a date to be fixed. INVESTAR WIN and FIERY FOUR BY FOUR were slow to begin. INDUSTRIALIST WAY, which was slow to begin, and CARE FREE ELEGANCE were crowded for room at the start between HINYUEN PALADIN and LUCKY BONUS which shifted out abruptly. Shortly after the start, PERI PERI SAFFRON became unbalanced after being bumped by CARE FREE ELEGANCE which shifted out. When being steadied in the early stages in order to obtain cover from the outside barrier, GLAMOROUS HONOUR got its head up on a number of occasions and proved difficult to settle for some distance in the early stages. Approaching the 1200 Metres, CARE FREE ELEGANCE was momentarily steadied away from the heels of LUCKY DAN which shifted in. After this, CARE FREE ELEGANCE shifted out, resulting in PERI PERI SAFFRON, which was proving difficult to settle, being taken wider. Passing the 1000 Metres, LUCKY DAN commenced to prove very difficult to settle and shifted out when awkwardly placed close to the heels of LUCKY BONUS. After this, LUCKY DAN raced wide and without cover. Prior to the 400 Metres, HINYUEN PALADIN and MEDIC KINGDOM bumped as a result of HINYUEN PALADIN shifting out from behind HURRY HURRY UP into clear running. Passing the 350 Metres, GLAMOROUS HONOUR was shifted out away from the heels of LUCKY DAN. Passing the 50 Metres, LUCKY BONUS got its head on the side and shifted in, resulting in its rider, having to stop riding and straighten his mount. A veterinary inspection of PERI PERI SAFFRON immediately following the race revealed that the horse was displaying an irregular heart rhythm. Before being allowed to race again, PERI PERI SAFFRON will be required to perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. MEDIC KINGDOM, HINYUEN PALADIN and LUCKY BONUS were sent for sampling.