26/09/2010  Shatin  Race 1

Both PURE ALPHA and CARISSIMA were checked at the start when crowded for room between SCOOT DA LOOT and SHATIN TREASURE, both of which shifted ground. Approaching the 700 Metres, SUNNY SMILES dipped when being checked away from the heels of PRIVATE ROAD. CARISSIMA, which was following, was severely checked to avoid the heels of SUNNY SMILES. Throughout the race, DEVON JOY and PURE ALPHA travelled wide and without cover. Apprentice M L Yeung (LUCKY NISTELROOY) stated that rounding the Home Turn he attempted to ease away from the fence in order to be in a position to obtain a run between DESCARTES and DAYLIGHT EXPRESS should one eventuate in the early part of the Straight. He said when he did this, LUCKY NISTELROOY improved into the run of its own accord and as there was insufficient room between DESCARTES and DAYLIGHT EXPRESS, LUCKY NISTELROOY was badly checked. When LUCKY NISTELROOY was checked, it became badly unbalanced and shifted out, resulting in FANTASTIC TIME and SCOOT DA LOOT both becoming unbalanced when crowded for room and in turn shifting out, taking DEVON JOY wider. When LUCKY NISTELROOY shifted out after being checked, DANESOUTH improved to be racing to the inside of that horse and near the 300 Metres DANESOUTH was then checked away from the heels of DESCARTES which at this time commenced to give ground. When questioned regarding DAYLIGHT EXPRESS being ridden forward in today’s race, Y T Cheng advised that as Trainer C H Yip is not in Hong Kong, he spoke to him yesterday regarding the manner in which DAYLIGHT EXPRESS should be ridden. He said after having ridden DAYLIGHT EXPRESS at its first up run this season, he asked Mr Yip if it would be acceptable for the horse to be ridden forward today if it began well. He said at its last start the horse hung out after being taken back to a midfield position in the early part of the race and he felt that DAYLIGHT EXPRESS’ interests would best be served if it were able to be placed in a forward position today. He added when ridden in this manner, DAYLIGHT EXPRESS performed well. After the race, Apprentice K C Leung (SHATIN TREASURE) reported that the horse did not travel at any stage of the race and consequently did not finish off the race. A veterinary inspection of SHATIN TREASURE after the race did not show any significant findings. PRIVATE ROAD, FANTASTIC TIME and DAYLIGHT EXPRESS were sent for sampling.