The Stewards today concluded their inquiry into the analyst's finding of the prohibited substance lidocaine being detected in the post-race blood sample taken from STORMY GROVE subsequent to being placed second in Race 11 – Stanley Gap Handicap 1400 Metres conducted at the Sha Tin racemeeting on 11 January 2026.  Lidocaine is a local anaesthetic that is contained in both equine and human medication.

Evidence was today taken from Mr F C Lor, trainer of STORMY GROVE, Dr Bronte Forbes, Head of the Department of Veterinary Regulation, Welfare and Biosecurity Policy (DVRWBP), Dr Emmie Ho, Head of Racing Laboratory, and Mr P K Lo, assistant trainer to Mr Lor.

The following evidence was obtained at the inquiry:-

1. STORMY GROVE had not been prescribed lidocaine and there was no evidence obtained during the investigation or today’s inquiry that identified STORMY GROVE had been administered lidocaine.


2. Dr Ho gave the following evidence:-
   
   1. The pre-race sample provided by STORMY GROVE at 5:23 am on 11 January 2026 tested negative for lidocaine.
   2. The post-race urine sample taken from STORMY GROVE at 6:17 pm on 11 January 2026, detected trace levels of the metabolite of lidocaine, namely 3-hydroxylidocaine well below the international screening limit and therefore the sample was reported as negative.
   3. The post-race blood sample provided by STORMY GROVE at 6:10 pm on 11 January 2026, detected lidocaine above the international screening limit and therefore the sample was certified as containing the prohibited substance lidocaine.
   4. Following certification an administration trial was conducted by the Racing Laboratory and DVRWBP to investigate the likely timing of STORMY GROVE being exposed to lidocaine.
   5. The administration trial concluded that “STORMY GROVE had been very likely exposed to a trace amount of lidocaine between approximately 2 mg to 0.1 mg, and likely closer to the lower end of this range.  The probable time of exposure was between … 40 - 60 minutes prior to post-race blood sampling at 1810 hrs”.
   
   
3. Dr Forbes provided evidence that the detection of lidocaine in a post-race sample would constitute a finding of a prohibited substance in accordance with the Rules of Racing of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, as it causes an action or effect directly on the nervous system.


4. A comprehensive joint investigation was conducted by the Stipendiary Stewards and Racing Security and Integrity Assurance.  The investigation included a detailed review of the stable close circuit television, interviews with stable staff allocated to Mr Lor and persons who had been in contact with STORMY GROVE on the day of the race, a review of treatment and medication records and sampling of stable staff and persons who had been in contact with STORMY GROVE on the day of the race.


5. Analysis of samples taken from the relevant stable staff confirmed the presence of lidocaine in one sample taken from a staff member who fitted the tongue tie to STORMY GROVE between 5:28 pm and 5:32 pm, between 42 and 46 minutes prior to post-race blood sampling of STORMY GROVE at 6:10 pm.


6. Further evidence identified that the relevant staff member had been using a lotion that was certified by the Racing Laboratory to contain lidocaine, and the staff member provided evidence he most likely applied the lotion on the morning of 11 January 2026.

Having regard to the evidence the Racing Stewards determined that the most likely cause of the finding of lidocaine in the post-race blood sample was due to inadvertent contamination from the staff member who fitted the tongue tie prior to STORMY GROVE racing.

Mr Lor pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 140(1) in that he as the trainer of STORMY GROVE did fail to ensure that STORMY GROVE was free of any prohibited substance on 11 January 2026, the day on which STORMY GROVE ran in Race 11 – Stanley Gap Handicap 1400 Metres conducted at the Sha Tin racemeeting on that day.  Having regard to Mr Lor’s submissions on penalty and Mr Lor’s disciplinary record in respect to like offences he was fined the sum of $50,000.

Rule 138(2) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Rules of Racing provides that if a prohibited substance is detected in a horse on raceday that the horse be disqualified from any race in which it has competed in on that day, unless the Stewards are satisfied that the administration of, or exposure to, the prohibited substance occurred after the race.  Accordingly, STORMY GROVE was disqualified from its second placing in Race 11 – Stanley Gap Handicap 1400 Metres conducted at the Sha Tin racemeeting on 11 January 2026 and the placings amended to read:-

1st         LUCKY SAM GOR
2nd       WITHOUT COMPARE
3rd        BLAZING WUKONG
4th        HELENE SUPAFEELING
5th        IVY LEAGUE
6th        AKASHVANI

Mr Lor was advised of the owners’ right of appeal in relation to the disqualification of STORMY GROVE.