01/01/2010  Shatin  Race 5

The Stewards today interviewed Mr J Size, the trainer of NATIONAL TREASURE, as to the circumstances regarding the horse being mistakenly treated with phenylbutazone on the afternoon of Monday 28 December 2009. Phenylbutazone is a prohibited substance as defined by the Rules of Racing. Also interviewed were Mr T P Yung, assistant trainer to Mr Size, and Mr Y Y Lam, head lad. NATIONAL TREASURE was withdrawn from this race by order of the Stewards on Tuesday 29 December 2009 and was replaced by Standby Declared Starter LUCKY TYCOON. Mr Size pleaded guilty to a breach of Rule 50(2) in that he failed in his responsibility for the work of the stable staff allocated to him which resulted in NATIONAL TREASURE being mistakenly treated. It was established that NATIONAL TREASURE was inadvertently treated with an oral preparation of phenylbutazone which was meant to be administered to APPRECIATION. It was further established that APPRECIATION and NATIONAL TREASURE occupy adjacent stalls within Mr Size’s stable. In deciding the appropriate penalty, the Stewards considered Mr Size’s previous record in relation to the breaches of this Rule and as a result Mr Size was fined a sum of $30,000. A report in respect of Mr Lam’s involvement in NATIONAL TREASURE being mistakenly treated will be forwarded to Mr D C W Yap, Manager, Stables, for his consideration. CHIEF SUCCESSOR was slow to begin. FAIRY DRAGON shifted in at the start, resulting in KING FAY FAY being crowded for room between that horse and NAMJONG HUNTER. MY WAY began awkwardly. From the outside barrier, PROSPERITY KID was taken across behind runners shortly after the start. In the early stages, MASTER RIO proved difficult to settle. Near the 1200 Metres, KING FAY FAY shifted in slightly when being steadied away from the heels of PENGLAI XIANZI. In this incident, EXTRA SPECIAL (J Lloyd), which was racing to the inside of KING FAY FAY, struck the heels of that horse and blundered. No further action was taken. J Lloyd reported that after blundering, EXTRA SPECIAL was reluctant to stretch out and in the Straight did not respond to his riding. In the early stages, CHIEF SUCCESSOR proved very difficult to settle and near the 1200 Metres became unbalanced when momentarily crowded for room between KING FAY FAY and MY WAY which shifted in. CHIEF SUCCESSOR continued to prove difficult to settle and near the 1000 Metres was again steadied when crowded for room between KING FAY FAY and MY WAY which was taken in by GOLDMEN Y Y (G Cheyne). G Cheyne was reprimanded and advised to ensure that he is sufficiently clear of other runners when shifting ground. After this incident, CHIEF SUCCESSOR continued to prove difficult to settle and shifted out abruptly when awkwardly placed close to the heels of MY WAY, resulting in LUCKY TYCOON being taken wider. NAMJONG HUNTER was held up for clear running in the Straight until near the 250 Metres. Near the 50 Metres, KING FAY FAY was steadied when crowded for room between GOLDMEN Y Y and LUCKY TYCOON, both of which shifted ground. Throughout the race, GOLDMEN Y Y travelled wide and without cover. A veterinary inspection of MASTER RIO, CHIEF SUCCESSOR and EXTRA SPECIAL after the race did not show any significant findings. CHIEF SUCCESSOR, PENGLAI XIANZI and PACKING FRIEND were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported that an endoscopic examination was conducted on KING FAY FAY at the request of Trainer A T Millard. He said that this examination showed a substantial amount of mucus and blood in the horse’s trachea. He also noted the horse to be lame in its right hind leg with a wound to the outside cannon. Before being allowed to race again, KING FAY FAY will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.