The Stewards today concluded their inquiry into the analyst’s findings in respect of the post-race urine and blood samples taken from HARBOUR MASTER after that horse was successful in the Crooked Island Handicap at Happy Valley Racecourse on Wednesday, 28 January 2015.
Evidence was today taken from Mr J Moore, the Trainer of HARBOUR MASTER, Dr P Curl, Executive Manager, Veterinary Regulation, and Dr T S M Wan, Head of Racing Laboratory. Evidence was also taken from Mr Y N Lau, Investigations Manager, Mr W H Chow, Assistant Trainer allocated to Mr Moore’s stable and Mr M F Leung, Stables Assistant allocated to Mr Moore’s stable. The Stewards received written submissions from Mr K Y Chow, Owner of HARBOUR MASTER, who was unable to attend today’s hearing.
Dr Wan had previously advised that the post-race urine and blood samples taken from HARBOUR MASTER on the relevant day had upon analysis shown the presence of indometacin. A pre-race urine sample taken from that horse on the morning on 28 January 2015 was found to be negative of indometacin.
Dr Curl advised the inquiry that indometacin is a prohibited substance in accordance with the Rules of Racing of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (the Rules) as it is a substance which is capable of acting on a number of a horse’s body systems.
Mr Moore accepted that indometacin is a prohibited substance in accordance with the Rules and also that the urine and blood samples taken from HARBOUR MASTER after the horse was successful in the stated race had present in them indometacin. Rule 138(2) states that any horse whose sample is reported as being positive to a prohibited substance shall be disqualified for such race in which it has competed. Accordingly, HARBOUR MASTER was disqualified from the Crooked Island Handicap and the placings amended to read No. 4 HELENE SUPER STAR, 1st; No. 9 NOBLE DELUXE, 2nd; No. 10 BULLISH BOY, 3rd; No. 7 ROYAL PARTNER, 4th; and No. 11 SICHUAN EXEC, 5th.
Whilst the exact circumstances which led to HARBOUR MASTER being exposed to indometacin were not able to be fully established, Mr Moore was found guilty of a breach of Rule 140(1) in that as the trainer of HARBOUR MASTER at the relevant time, he did fail to ensure that the horse was free of any prohibited substance on 28 January 2015, the day on which it competed in the aforementioned race. The Stewards believed the appropriate penalty was for Mr Moore to be fined the sum of $65,000. In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into consideration Mr Moore’s record as a licensed person over a long period of time, in particular his record as a licensed Trainer with the Club.
