Nak Aim bin Abdul Gani, who after being duly notified of the inquiry, failed to appear and the matter was heard in his absence.

Due to a departure from the standard operating procedures of the post-mortem sampling techniques, the Stewards did not proceed with the matter against ALWAYS SPECIAL’s trainer Corner, and also against Sennett Ho, the trainer of ROYALE ARENA, which finished unplaced and was euthanised with the administration of Xylazine and Pentobarbital after breaking its near-fore sesamoid after competing in Race 6, 1st Day, 4 September 2004, Penang September Sprint Trophy Meeting 2004.

The Stewards report issued today is as follows:

The Stewards today (25 October 2004) conducted an inquiry in respect of the Analyst’s report that the prohibited substances Pentobarbital and Flunixin were present in the post-mortem urine and blood samples taken from the racehorse ALWAYS SPECIAL, which collapsed and died in Race 4, 2nd Day, 5 September 2004, Penang September Sprint Trophy Meeting 2004.

Evidence was taken from trainer P Comer and owner Mr Vivakananda a/l Ratnam. Also a written statement was tendered by Comer’s Syce, Nak Aim bin Abdul Gani who after being duly notified of the inquiry, failed to appear. This matter was heard in his absence.

Professor Tan Soo Choon, Chief Analyst of the Usains Forensic Laboratory and Dr Edward Samuel, Veterinary Surgeon of the Penang Turf Club assisted the inquiry.

The evidence disclosed that during the sampling process of ALWAYS SPECIAL, neither Comer nor his representative was present, that no referee sample was obtained, and that the samples forwarded to the Usains Forensic Laboratory were not coded. Also Comer denied any knowledge regarding the findings of the laboratory and the origin of the prohibited substances.

As the Stewards were not comfortably satisfied that a prima facie case could be established against Comer due to a departure from the standard operating procedures of the post-mortem sampling techniques, they therefore did not proceed with the matter.

Based on the written statement obtained from Syce Nak Aim bin Abdul Gani (S.97), he was found guilty of a charge under MRA Rule 226(a)(i) in that he, a registered syce employed by P Comer, a trainer licenced by the Malayan Racing Association, did on or about 3 and 4 September 2004, at the stables of the Penang Turf Club, administered to ALWAYS SPECIAL, a registered racehorse under the charge of the said trainer, a substance which in the opinion of the Club Veterinary Surgeon is not a normal item of a diet to the said race horse in training without authorisation of the Club Veterinary Surgeon. Nak Aim was disqualified for a period of three years and was fined the sum of RM50,000.

A report will be forwarded to the Committee of the Penang Turf Club and measures will be undertaken to ensure that the standard operating procedures regarding post-mortem sampling arc strictly adhered to.

The Stewards today (25 October 2004) conducted an inquiry in respect of the Analyst’s report that the prohibited substances Xylazine, Pentobarbital and Flunixin were present in the post-mortem urine and blood samples taken from the racehorse ROYALE ARENA, which finished unplaced was euthanised with the administration of Xylazine and Pentobarbital after breaking its near-fore sesamoid after competing in Race 6, 1st Day, 4 September 2004, Penang September Sprint Trophy Meeting 2004.

Evidence was taken from trainer S Ho, Professor Tan Soo Choon, Chief Analyst of the Usains Forensic Laboratory and Dr Edward Samuel, Veterinary Surgeon of the Penang Turf Club, assisted the inquiry.

The evidence disclosed that during the sampling process of ROYALE ARENA, neither Ho nor his representative was present, that no referee sample was obtained, and that the samples forwarded to the Usains Forensic Laboratory were not coded. Also Ho denied any knowledge regarding the findings of the laboratory and the origin of the prohibited substances.

As the Stewards were not comfortably satisfied that a prima facie case could be established against Ho due to a departure from the standard operating procedures of the post-mortem sampling techniques, they therefore did not proceed with the matter.