19/11/2017  Shatin  Race 10

The Stewards today interviewed Mr J Size, the trainer of HOUSE OF FUN as to the circumstances regarding the horse being inadvertently treated with Atrovent and Flixotide on Thursday, 16 November 2017, both those medications being administered within the recommended withdrawal periods prior to race day, which resulted in the horse having to be withdrawn from this race and replaced by Standby Declared Starter MIDNIGHT RATTLER. Also interviewed was Mr K L Lam, work rider allocated to Mr Size’s stable for the current 2017/2018 season and who was responsible for administering certain routine treatments on the morning in question. It was established that Mr Lam inadvertently treated HOUSE OF FUN (V092) instead of EASTERN EXPRESS (T192) which was in the adjoining stable. Mr Lam confirmed that there was a notice outside of HOUSE OF FUN’s stall informing that the horse was entered to race, however, he overlooked that notice. He also said that he did not confirm the horse’s brand prior to administering the treatment. Mr Size, as the person responsible for the work of the stable staff allocated to him, pleaded guilty to a breach of Rule 50(2) and was fined the sum of $30,000. Mr Lam was advised that a report of this matter would be forwarded to Stables Management for their consideration and necessary action. KEY WITNESS shifted out at the start and bumped HARRIER JET. BEAT THE CLOCK was steadied on jumping when crowded for room between BOMBAY BLITZ and MIDNIGHT RATTLER which was taken out by ALMABABY. PABLOSKY began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped SLEEP EDUCATION. JING JING WIN began only fairly. From the outside barrier, LINE SEEKER was steadied in the early stages in an endeavour to obtain cover, however, throughout the race travelled wide and without cover and in the Straight gave ground. Near the 950 Metres, JING JING WIN was awkwardly placed close to the heels of VICTORY MARVEL. As LINE SEEKER was being shifted in to obtain a position behind SLEEP EDUCATION near the 800 Metres, JING JING WIN shifted out away from the heels of HARRIER JET which was awkwardly placed behind ALMABABY. This resulted in JING JING WIN shifting out and occupying the position behind SLEEP EDUCATION, causing LINE SEEKER to remain racing wide and without cover. Approaching the 800 Metres, MOMENTUM LUCK got its head up when proving difficult to settle and awkwardly placed close to the heels of JUMBO LUCK. VICTORY MARVEL, which was following, was eased away from the heels of MOMENTUM LUCKY in consequence approaching the 700 Metres. FORTUNE BOOTH was awkwardly placed close to the heels of JING JING WIN rounding the Home Turn. FORTUNE BOOTH was held up for clear running form near the 350 Metres until near the 250 Metres when awkwardly placed behind LINE SEEKER which was giving ground. Throughout the race, SLEEP EDUCATION travelled wide and without cover. When questioned, K C Leung (HARRIER JET) stated that rounding the Home Turn his mount was racing to the inside of JING JING WIN. He said when that horse shifted to the outside of SLEEP EDUCATION, he intended to track that horse into the race as he had ALMABABY racing to his inside with SLEEP EDUCATION in advance of that horse and he did not believe that this horse would be able to take him into the race. He said as he commenced to shift to the outside of JING JING WIN, he received a precautionary call from the rider of BEAT THE CLOCK which was improving to the outside of HARRIER JET. He said as BEAT THE CLOCK was improving quickly to his outside, he was not able to shift out without causing interference to that horse and therefore HARRIER JET was held up for clear running in the early stages of the Straight. K C Leung was advised that his explanation was accepted. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that JUMBO LUCK had bled from both nostrils. A veterinary inspection of LINE SEEKER immediately following the race confirmed the horse to be a "roarer” which had previously been reported. A veterinary inspection of FORTUNE BOOTH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. JING JING WIN, BEAT THE CLOCK and PABLOSKY were sent for sampling.