The Stewards today concluded their inquiry into the analyst’s report on the urine sample supplied by Apprentice K K Chiong at the Sha Tin racemeeting conducted on Sunday, 9 April 2017. Evidence was taken from Apprentice Chiong, Mr K W Lui, allocated trainer of Apprentice Chiong, and Dr T S M Wan, Head of Racing Laboratory.
It was reported on 24 April 2017 that the sample supplied by Apprentice Chiong contained methylephedrine at a concentration exceeding the threshold for that substance as provided for in Instruction 44 of the Rules of Racing. After having been informed of the analyst’s finding, Apprentice Chiong advised that she did not wish to have the reserve portion of the sample analysed by an independent laboratory.
Apprentice Chiong today pleaded guilty to a charge of having breached Hong Kong Jockey Club Rule of Racing 60(1) in that she did supply a sample at the Sha Tin racemeeting on Sunday, 9 April 2017 which upon analysis showed to contain the prohibited substance methylephedrine above the threshold level as provided for in Instruction 44 of the Rules or Racing. The Stewards decided in the circumstances of this case that the appropriate penalty was for Apprentice Chiong’s licence to ride in races to be suspended for one racemeeting with that racemeeting being the Happy Valley meeting scheduled on Wednesday, 7 June 2017. Accordingly, Apprentice Chiong is eligible to resume race riding on Thursday, 8 June 2017. The Stewards ruled this penalty to be served cumulatively to the period of suspension incurred at the Sha Tin racemeeting yesterday and which is to expire after the racemeeting to be conducted on Sunday, 4 June 2017.
In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into consideration the following mitigating factors:-
- That the medication which contained methylephedrine was properly prescribed to Apprentice Chiong by a doctor recommended by the Executive Manager, Racing Development Board.
- That the doctor was aware that K K Chiong is an Apprentice Jockey albeit was not made aware of the list of prohibited substances as provided for in Instruction 44 of the Rules of Racing.
- That the presence of methylephedrine in the sample provided by Apprentice Chiong was entirely consistent with the use of prescribed medication for a medical condition rather than any abuse of the substance.
- That Apprentice Chiong is a relatively inexperienced rider who has not previously breached the prohibited substance rules.
