The presence of hydroxyomeprazole in the urine sample taken from FAVOURITE EXPRESS subsequent to the horse running 1st in the Panasonic Charger Handicap at Sha Tin on 8 November 2003.

Evidence was today taken from Mr G Lane, Trainer of FAVOURITE EXPRESS, Mr Yun Kwok Keung, Assistant Trainer to Mr Lane, Mr Yu Wing Kwai, Stables Supervisor allocated to Mr Lane, Mr Wong Hong Tai, Assistant Stables Supervisor allocated to Mr Lane, and Mr Chan Kwai Fong, Stables Assistant who at that time was caring for FAVOURITE EXPRESS. Evidence was also today taken from Dr T S M Wan, Head of Racing Laboratory, Dr K L Watkins, Head of Veterinary Regulation & International Liaison, and Dr C P H Osborne, Veterinary Surgeon.

It was accepted that hydroxyomeprazole is a prohibited substance in accordance with the Rules of Racing of The Hong Kong Jockey Club. It was also accepted that hydroxyomeprazole is a metabolite of omeprazole which is an ingredient of E-Gard. E-Gard is used widely by trainers in Hong Kong for the treatment of horses which have stomach ulcers.

Mr G Lane pleaded guilty to having breached Rule 140(1) in that as the trainer of FAVOURITE EXPRESS, he failed to ensure that a horse being trained by him was free of prohibited substances on 8 November 2003, the day on which it ran at Sha Tin. For his breach of the Rule, Mr Lane was fined $50,000.

Hong Kong Jockey Club Rule of Racing 138(2) states that any horse which returns a positive test shall be disqualified for any race in which it has competed. Accordingly FAVOURITE EXPRESS was disqualified from the Panasonic Charger Handicap and the amended placings became:-

The presence of hydroxyomeprazole in the urine sample taken from NASA PEARL subsequent to the horse running 2nd in the Shaanxi Handicap at Sha Tin on 12 November 2003.

Evidence was today taken from Mr A S Cruz, Trainer of NASA PEARL, Mr Hung Wai Ping, Assistant Trainer to Mr Cruz, Mr Tang Wai Cheuk, Assistant Stables Supervisor allocated to Mr Cruz, and Mr Wong Cheuk Yung, Stables Assistant who cares for NASA PEARL. Evidence was also today taken from Mr D K K Leung, Racing Chemist (Operations), and Dr K L Watkins, Head of Veterinary Regulation & International Liaison.

Mr A S Cruz pleaded guilty to having breached Rule 140(1) in that as the trainer of NASA PEARL, he failed to ensure that a horse being trained by him was free of prohibited substances on 12 November 2003, the day on which it ran at Sha Tin. For his breach of the Rule, Mr Cruz was fined $50,000.

Hong Kong Jockey Club Rule of Racing 138(2) states that any horse which returns a positive test shall be disqualified for any race in which it has competed. Accordingly NASA PEARL was disqualified from the Shaanxi Handicap and the amended placings became:-

The Stewards also continued their inquiries into the analyst's findings regarding urine samples taken from RECOGNITION subsequent to that horse running 1st in the Chevalier Property Management Handicap at Sha Tin on 30 November 2003, and BY INSTINCT following that horse running 1st in the Tai O Handicap at Sha Tin on 3 December 2003.

Evidence was today taken from Mr C S Shum, Trainer of RECOGNITION and BY INSTINCT, and Mr Li Wai Yin, Owner of BY INSTINCT. Evidence was also today taken from Dr T S M Wan, Head of Racing Laboratory, Dr K L Watkins, Head of Veterinary Regulation & International Liaison, and Dr W H Chan, Veterinary Surgeon.

The inquiries were adjourned to allow Mr Shum the opportunity of conducting further research of his treatment records. These inquiries will resume at 10 am next Sunday 18 January 2004 at the Sha Tin Racecourse.