Hong Kong racing faces its biggest drugs probe in two decades following the withdrawal of three Patrick Biancone-trained horses from today's Sha Tin meeting.
Six horses in the French trainer's stable have now tested positive for the substance Sputolosin, whose use must be declared.
The enforced withdrawal of the Biancone-trained second favourite, Deauville, has thrown today's $3.5 million Gold Cup into disarray.
The runner-up in last month's Hong Kong Derby, Deauville was expected to give the Horse of the Year and hot favourite, Makarpura Star, a tough race in the 2,000-metre Group One event - the second leg of the Triple Crown.
The other Biancone runners, Consistent Win and Highland Dancer, have been withdrawn from the first event of today's eight-race programme.
Biancone, who currently leads the trainers' championship by one winner, had no comment to make on the latest developments.