In accordance with usual practice, random draws were conducted to establish which riders would be required to provide urine samples for testing for the presence of prohibited substances at the Sha Tin racemeetings held on Sunday, 9 April 2017 and Monday, 17 April 2017. At the racemeeting on 9 April 2017, Apprentice Jockey K K Chiong was drawn to provide a urine sample with Apprentice Jockey M F Poon being drawn to provide a urine sample at the Sha Tin racemeeting on 17 April 2017.
The Club’s Head of Racing Laboratory, Dr T S M Wan, has provided the Stewards with two test reports relative to these samples.
Apprentice Jockey K K Chiong, Sha Tin, 9 April 2017
The relevant Test Report issued by Dr Wan has notified that the sample provided by apprentice Chiong has shown the presence of methylephedrine at a concentration exceeding the threshold for that substance as provided for in Instruction 44 of the Club’s Rules of Racing. Methylephedrine can be found in a medication prescribed for use in Hong Kong. A preliminary investigation indicated that Apprentice Chiong may have been prescribed with this medication prior to 9 April 2017 and that she may have taken this medication in the lead up to this racemeeting for the treatment of flu.
In accordance with Instruction 45(2) of the Rules, Apprentice Chiong, after consulting with her allocated trainer, Mr K W Lui, has informed the Stewards that she does not wish for the reserve portion of the sample to be sent for confirmatory analysis.
Apprentice Jockey M F Poon, 17 April 2017 Sha Tin Racemeeting
The relevant Test Report issued by Dr Wan has notified that the sample provided by apprentice Poon has shown the presence of nordazepam, oxazepam and temazepam, all of which fall under the category of benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines are prohibited substances as provided for in Instruction 44 of the Rules and can be found in medication to assist with sleeping. A preliminary investigation indicated that Apprentice Poon attended a doctor’s clinic in the lead up to 17 April 2017 for treatment of a skin allergy and may have been prescribed a medication containing benzodiazepines to assist him with sleeping as a result of the skin allergy.
In accordance with Instruction 45(2) of the Rules, Apprentice Poon, after consulting with his allocated trainer, Mr D J Hall, has informed the Stewards that he does not wish for the reserve portion of the sample to be sent for confirmatory analysis.
Inquiries into these two test reports have been adjourned until a date to be fixed. In the meantime, both Apprentices Chiong and Poon will be permitted to continue riding. A further release will be issued at the appropriate time.
In advance of the inquiries being conducted, the Racing Development Board has reiterated to all Apprentice Jockeys and Trainee Apprentice Jockeys of the requirement to seek initial medical consultation through the Club’s appointed medical practitioners; and that when attending a medical appointment they must have with them a copy of the prohibited substances (jockey) as contained within the Rules so as to ensure that medications are not prescribed to them which can lead to a breach of the Rules.
