The Stewards today considered a matter referred to them by the Department of Veterinary Regulation, Welfare and Biosecurity Policy (DVRWBP) in relation to LUCKY PARTNER (D510) being worked on the Conghua Small All Weather Track from 10 to 19 December 2020 inclusive, contrary to a training restriction placed on that horse by DVRWBP as a consequence of a reported issue with the horse’s left front tendon.

Evidence was taken from Mr C S Shum, trainer of LUCKY PARTNER, his allocated assistant trainers, Mr P H Szeto (Sha Tin) and Mr K Y Chan (CRC) as well as Dr C M Steel, Senior Veterinary Surgeon (CRC) who assessed the horse and furnished the appropriate reports to DVRWBP.  Evidence was also tendered on behalf of DVRWBP by Dr A Prabhu, Executive Manager, Veterinary Regulatory Operations, and Dr J X Mizzi, Veterinary Officer.

Mr Shum was subsequently found guilty of a breach of Rule 50(2) in that he failed in his responsibilities pertaining to the running of his stable by not providing the necessary information to his CRC assistant trainer relative to a training restriction that was placed on LUCKY PARTNER (D510) by DVRWBP under the terms of Regulation 70(e) of the Trainers’ Handbook which led to LUCKY PARTNER being worked on the Small All Weather Track from 10 to 19 December 2020 inclusive, which was in contravention to the training restriction placed on that horse. 

In all the circumstances, Mr Shum was fined the sum of $20,000.  In assessing penalty, the Stewards took into account that this was the first occasion that Mr Shum had been penalized for a similar breach.