Millard pulls horses after syringe mix-up
Some standard pre-racing procedures yesterday had some very non-standard results for trainer Tony Millard, who has scratched two horses from today's Sha Tin meeting because he could not guarantee they would race drug free.
Yesterday morning blood was taken from a number of Millard-trained animals, including Ambitious Owner and Iron Fist, which had racing engagements in races six and 10 respectively. It was noticed the syringes that had been used to draw blood from these horses were not standard-issue Jockey Club syringes, and the racing stewards were immediately called in.
Blood analysis by the laboratory is a powerful tool that a number of trainers use to ascertain the wellbeing of the racehorses under their care. Millard is a strong believer in the science and regularly uses the blood analysis service offered by the Jockey Club's analytical laboratory.
After being informed that the blood-filled syringes were not of the normal, standard stock, chief steward Jamie Stier ordered a visit to Millard's stables which involved officers from security and the veterinary regulation departments as well.
It is understood even though Jockey Club veterinarians are the only personnel authorised to either draw blood or inject animals, trainers may legitimately have stocks of club-issued syringes on their premises.
Stier last night emphasised the broad scope of the inquiry, with Millard's stable, the veterinary department and the clinical laboratory of the veterinary hospital all having been questioned on the matter.
While the origin of the syringes remains in doubt, no one could say for certain the syringes used on Iron Fist and Ambitious Owner were sterile. That raised the possibility of contamination, even though they were being used to draw blood rather than inject any substance.
Stewards told Millard that the contents of the strange syringes, if indeed there was any, could not be authenticated prior to racing.
All horses must race drug free and the responsibility for presenting the horses for competition in a drug-free state rests on the shoulders of the trainer.
Because of the doubt surrounding Ambitious Owner and Iron Fist, that he could not be 100 per cent certain they had not been administered prohibited substances, Millard requested and was granted permission to scratch both horses.
A third Millard-trained runner, Happy Elite (race one), will start as planned because he did not have a blood sample taken and the trainer was comfortable with his drug-free status.
