18/05/2016  Happy Valley  Race 9

Earlier today the Stewards were advised by Dr T S M Wan, the Club's Head of Racing Laboratory, that a pre-race urine sample taken from a horse entered to run in tonight's racemeeting was found to contain the prohibited substance phenylbutazone and its metabolite oxyphenbutazone. It was established that the pre-race urine sample was taken from MIDNIGHT RATTLER trained by Mr J Moore. The Stewards ordered for a further urine sample to be taken from MIDNIGHT RATTLER under post-race conditions. Dr Wan subsequently informed the Stewards that preliminary analysis of the second urine sample confirmed the presence of phenylbutazone and its metabolite oxyphenbutazone. The Stewards acceded to a request from Mr Moore to withdraw MIDNIGHT RATTLER from this race. Accordingly, MIDNIGHT RATTLER was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. The matter was adjourned until a date to be fixed. ALMABABY, which was fractious in the stalls, sat back as the start was effected, lifted its front feet off the ground and consequently was slow to begin. TONYBOY began only fairly. Making the turn near the 1000 Metres, ACCEPTED got its head up when travelling keenly and awkwardly placed close to the heels of HIGH FIVE. After this, ACCEPTED continued to travel keenly and again proved very difficult to settle for a considerable distance after the 900 Metres. Passing the 600 Metres, LUCKY YEAR raced tight inside CAGA FORCE which was steadied away from the heels of TONYBOY (Apprentice K K Chiong) which shifted in when not properly clear. Apprentice Chiong was severely reprimanded. After the 600 Metres, ALMABABY was left racing wide and without cover. Near the 50 Metres, ALMABABY was awkwardly placed close to the heels of TONYBOY when taken in by HIGH FIVE which got its head on the side and lay in under pressure. This resulted in D Whyte, the rider of HIGH FIVE, having to stop riding and straighten his mount. Over the concluding stages, COUNTRY MELODY was awkwardly placed inside the heels of CLEVER BEAVER which shifted in under pressure. When questioned, M L Yeung (CAGA FORCE) stated that he had been asked to lead if possible. He said in accordance with his instructions, for a considerable distance in the early stages, he rode his mount along in an attempt to cross LUCKY YEAR, however, CAGA FORCE did not show sufficient speed to clear LUCKY YEAR and consequently he was unable to cross that horse in the run to the first turn approaching the 1000 Metres. He said he continued to urge CAGA FORCE forward in an attempt to cross LUCKY YEAR after the 1000 Metres, however, LUCKY YEAR maintained its position and because of this he was not able to lead. A veterinary inspection of CAGA FORCE immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. A veterinary inspection of ACCEPTED immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. LUCKY YEAR and EROICO were sent for sampling.