At the Happy Valley racemeeting conducted on Wednesday, 20 April 2022, WIN CHARM was withdrawn from the stated race on arrival at the Start after it was found to have a restricted action in both front legs.  Following the withdrawal of the horse, the Stewards reviewed the CCTV footage of WIN CHARM in the Happy Valley holding stalls in the lead up to the race.  It was ascertained that an incident occurred which may have impacted on the horse’s suitability to race.  Accordingly the Stewards today interviewed the following people:-

Mr K W Lui, Trainer of WIN CHARM

Mr P C Ng, Assistant Trainer (allocated to Mr Lui’s stable for the current 2021/2022 racing season)

Mr L M Lui, Head Lad (allocated to Mr Lui’s stable for the current 2021/2022 racing season)

Mr C T Wong, Stables Assistant (allocated to Mr Lui’s stable for the current 2021/2022 racing season)

Dr J X Mizzi, Veterinary Officer

It was subsequently established that WIN CHARM got down in its box in the Happy Valley holding stalls at approximately 8:36 pm and which required the horse’s left hind to be replated.  It was further established that this incident as well as the replating of the horse was made known to Mr Ng, however, Mr Ng did not inform Mr Lui of the matter and that Mr Lui only became aware of the situation following the withdrawal of the horse.

Mr Ng pleaded guilty to a breach of Rule 12(32) in that as Mr Lui’s allocated assistant trainer:

1. He did negligently fail to report to Mr Lui that WIN CHARM had got down in its box which had required the horse having to be replated.

2. By negligently failing to report that WIN CHARM had got down in the box and had been replated, the horse was not subject to a veterinary examination to establish its suitability to participate in the aforementioned race which resulted in the horse being saddled, paraded and ridden to the starting gates where, after being examined by the Veterinary Officer following concerns being raised by the rider of WIN CHARM as to its suitability to race, WIN CHARM was withdrawn from the race.

3. By negligently failing to report to Mr Lui that WIN CHARM had got down in the box and had been replated, he did fail in the performance of his duties which could have led to Mr Lui not complying with his obligations under the Rules of Racing to report the matter.

After having considered all the circumstances, the Stewards believed the appropriate penalty was for Mr Ng to be fined the sum of $15,000.