16/09/2009  Happy Valley  Race 2

As previously advised, the Stewards, on Monday 14 September 2009, interviewed Trainer T W Leung regarding the preliminary results of a Horse In Training (“HIT”) sample taken from ELITE FORTUNE, trained by Mr Leung, on 21 August 2009. During the hearing, it was established that ELITE FORTUNE had been administered an authorised treatment of a product containing testosterone on 15 July 2009. However, the sample taken from ELITE FORTUNE on 21 August 2009, which was outside of the recommended withdrawal period for that product, namely 35 clear days, indicated an elevated level of testosterone. On Tuesday, 15 September 2009, the Stewards were advised by Dr T S M Wan, Head of Racing Laboratory, that a HIT sample taken from ALIVE AND KICKING, trained by Mr T K Ng, on 27 August 2009 also showed an elevated level of testosterone. A preliminary check of Mr Ng’s treatment records indicated that ALIVE AND KICKING had been administered an authorised treatment of the same product administered to ELITE FORTUNE on 10 July 2009. Having been made aware of this information, the Stewards ordered urine samples to be obtained from a number of horses scheduled to race at tonight’s Happy Valley race meeting which had been administered the same testosterone based product as ELITE FORTUNE and ALIVE AND KICKING. Each of the relevant horses had also been administered the product on dates outside of the recommended withdrawal period. Included in these horses was TOUT VA BIEN, trained by Mr C Fownes, which was scheduled to compete in this race. The Stewards have today been advised that the urine sample taken from TOUT VA BIEN on Tuesday, 15 September 2009 as well as the pre-race urine sample taken from that horse early this morning confirmed the presence of testosterone at an elevated level. Acting under the powers of Rule of Racing 12 (13), the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of TOUT VA BIEN from this race. It should be noted that Mr Fownes confirmed to the Stewards that he also wished for the horse to be withdrawn from the race. As is standard practice, the Stewards will speak to both Mr Ng and Mr Fownes regarding the analyst’s findings in respect of the urine samples taken from ALIVE AND KICKING and TOUT VA BIEN. However, they will also consult the Club’s Department of Veterinary Regulation & International Liaison, Department of Veterinary Clinical Services as well as the Racing Laboratory before determining the appropriate course of action. In the meantime, all horses entered for the Sha Tin race meeting scheduled to be conducted on Sunday, 20 September 2009 and which have previously been administered the same product as the three aforementioned horses will have urine samples analyzed for the presence of testosterone prior to being permitted to race. Mr Fownes was advised that TOUT VA BIEN, which barrier trialed at Sha Tin on Tuesday, 8 September 2009, will be required to barrier trial clear of any prohibited substance prior to being permitted to race again. ALIVE AND KICKING has not participated in an Official Barrier Trial thus far this racing season. A further release in respect of this matter will be issued at the appropriate time. TRANSCENDENCE, which proved difficult to load, will have to perform satisfactorily in a stalls test. FLEETING QUALITY began awkwardly. From outside barriers, THE KID and TRANSCENDENCE were taken back shortly after the start. Throughout the race, JUST RIGHT travelled wide and without cover. After passing the winning post, DASHING VICTORY, which compounded in the Straight, collapsed. FLY HIGH and MEGABUCKS were sent for sampling.