The Stewards today interviewed Mr P O’Sullivan, the trainer of WHISTLE BLOWER, regarding that horse being inadvertently treated on the morning of Monday, 20 October 2014. WHISTLE BLOWER, a declared starter in the Oi Man Handicap conducted at the Happy Valley racemeeting on Wednesday, 22 October 2014, was subsequently withdrawn from this event by order of the Stewards. Also interviewed today were Mr P C Ng, assistant trainer, Mr H L Suen, head lad, Mr K Y Yan, work rider, and Dr M J Hurley, Clinical Veterinary Surgeon allocated to Mr O’Sullivan’s stable.
Mr O’Sullivan pleaded guilty to breaching Rule 50(2) in that as the person responsible for all matters pertaining to the running of his stable and the work of the stable staff allocated to him, he failed in the management of his stable by virtue of WHISTLE BLOWER being inadvertently treated and having to be withdrawn from its intended race start on Wednesday, 22 October 2014. Mr O’Sullivan was fined the sum of $25,000. It was noted that Mr O’Sullivan had recently been penalized for breaching the same Rule of Racing.
Mr Ng was advised that a transcript of today’s inquiry together with a full report on the incident would be forwarded to the Stables Department. Dr Hurley was advised that a report on the circumstances of this matter would also be forwarded to Dr C M Riggs, Head of Veterinary Clinical Services, for his consideration.
