17/02/2013  Shatin  Race 1

From wide barriers, CREATIVE UNION and FASTPLUS MASTER were taken across behind runners shortly after the start. CREATIVE UNION and GENERAL DANROAD were unable to obtain clear running in the early part of the Straight. HURRY HURRY UP had difficulty obtaining clear running approaching and passing the 200 Metres. For some distance after the 200 Metres, HAPPY KAISER had difficulty securing clear running. Approaching the 100 Metres, GENERAL DANROAD momentarily raced in restricted room between MULTIEXPRESS and SEIZE THE DAY, both of which shifted ground. When questioned, M L Yeung stated that he was asked to ride LINKED WIN where it was comfortable and it was anticipated that this would be in midfield or behind midfield. He said it was felt that the makeup of today’s race indicated that considerable use would have to be made of LINKED WIN to cross runners to its inside and that if he was not able to do so LINKED WIN would be left racing wide. When questioned, Apprentice K C Ng stated that he was instructed to take up a forward position on SEIZE THE DAY. He said after having to make a lot of use of SEIZE THE DAY in the early stages to obtain a forward position, he commenced to shift the horse to the outside of HANNIBAL BARCA which he felt was being ridden to obtain the lead. He said however when SUPER BROTHER was hard ridden approaching and passing the 1000 Metres, HANNIBAL BARCA was not able to cross that horse and remained racing in a one-off position which resulted in SEIZE THE DAY being left in a three wide position without cover. He said after being ridden along in the early stages, SEIZE THE DAY commenced to travel keenly after the 800 Metres and he would not have been able to steady the horse with a view to obtaining a position behind HANNIBAL BARCA. He said because of this SEIZE THE DAY travelled wide and without cover throughout the race. GENERAL DANROAD, CREATIVE UNION and MULTIEXPRESS were sent for sampling.