A SIMPLE stable mix-up has led to the Patrick Biancone-trained Lyphard's Lad testing positive to a prohibited substance following his second placing at Sha Tin last weekend.
Lyphard's Lad, whose feed is brand number M33, faces almost certain disqualification from the race after it was discovered that he received the feed for his stablemate Powernamic, brand number N33.
Biancone, fresh from a double at the New Territories' venue, explained: 'My normal feed man had to go to the hospital and this was just the usual story, a simple and stupid mistake with the feeding but one that is impossible to totally control.
'Lyphard's Lad and Powernamic have very similar brand numbers and the replacement feeder gave them each other's feed.
'It is no more than that.' The substance involved is understood to be an antibiotic used to treat a minor throat infection.
The race-meeting stewards will hold an inquiry into the matter at Happy Valley race course a week tomorrow to determine the level of guilt and blame.