In accordance with the usual practice of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, all horses which finished 1st or 2nd in their respective races at the Sha Tin meeting on 12 November 2003 were required to provide urine and blood samples following their race. Accordingly, routine samples were taken from NASA PEARL, 2nd placegetter in Race 8, Shaanxi Handicap.

It is also the usual practice of the Hong Kong Jockey Club for all runners declared to race at a meeting to provide pre-race urine samples on the morning of the day on which they are to race.

The Stewards have today been advised by the Club's Acting Head of Racing Laboratory, Mr D K K Leung, that the post-race urine sample provided by NASA PEARL on analysis was found to contain hydroxyomeprazole. Mr Leung also advised the post-race blood sample taken from NASA PEARL has been declared negative.

Mr A S Cruz, the trainer of NASA PEARL, was this morning advised of the analyst's findings. Following this advice, Stipendiary Steward K Kelly, Senior Veterinary Officer Dr B D Stewart, Acting Head of Racing Laboratory Mr Leung and Manager, Security Investigations Mr E Heung visited the stable of Mr Cruz. The B-sample will now be forwarded to an outside laboratory for confirmatory analysis.

The matter is now adjourned to a date to be fixed.