Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup
AL AIN (JPN)
Completed an 800m turf gallop in 57.2s (30.6, 26.6).
Work rider Shin Otose said: “Thank you to everyone who has been supporting us. The trip has gone well. He’s settled in well and is relaxing in the new surroundings.”
DANBURITE (JPN)
Sent out on the Sha Tin turf, quickened from the 1200m and clicked up the last 400m. Stopped the clock at 1m 17.1s (27.3, 26.4, 23.4) for 1200m.
Work rider Shinichiro Kobayashi said: “He has been eating up well after the long trip to Hong Kong. There were no problems with the journey and all has gone well so far. Today was his first time working on the turf course since he arrived. He shied a little but he’s getting relaxed and moved nicely. He’ll work in the trotting ring tomorrow.”
GOLD MOUNT (HK)
Stayed in the trotting ring for an easy hack.
Jockey Alberto Sanna said: “The trial (last Friday) was nice, he’s a nice horse. He never shows too much in the mornings, so I was happy with his trial. I’m very happy to have my first ride in this race, it’s not easy to come for a short-term stint and get to ride in a Derby and a QEII, so I’m very thankful to the owner and to the trainer. It’s a big success for me personally.”
Sanna, who was stood down from riding due to a dislocated shoulder at Saturday’s (21 April) Sha Tin meeting, said: “My shoulder is feeling fine, I was back riding gallops yesterday and I rode six horses this morning. I will go to the doctor after the trials tomorrow to get cleared.”
PING HAI STAR (HK)
The last-start BMW Hong Kong Derby winner was given an easy time in the trotting ring.
Jockey Joao Moreira said: “I’m extremely happy with him. His trials indicate that he is going well. Last Friday, he wasn’t very fast out of the gate, he got a little bit further back than intended but he ran home in the way that we were hoping, he did it in a way that says he is as good as he was when he won the Derby.”
Champions Mile
BLIZZARD (HK)
Cantered two laps of the small all-weather track, counter-clockwise.
Trainer Ricky Yiu said: “He’s well, he’s so tough – he doesn’t look like he just had a trip to Japan. I’m happy with him.”
PINGWU SPARK (HK)
Completed one lap of the inner all-weather track in the reverse direction.
Jockey Derek Leung said: “He’s in good form, we’re happy with him. He ran third last time, he showed good strength and if we have a good draw this time we’ll see him finish off even stronger.”
SINGAPORE SLING (HK)
The Hong Kong Classic Cup winner had an easy gallop over 800m on the Sha Tin all-weather track under rider Bev Millard, recording 57.4s (30.2, 27.2) for the trip.
Trainer Tony Millard said: “We’ll keep him ticking over this week, he had his main gallop last Friday. Chad (Schofield) rode him on the grass and I was very happy.”
Chairman’s Sprint Prize
BLUE POINT (UAE)
Stayed in the quarantine stables after arriving at Sha Tin on Sunday afternoon (22 April).
FINE NEEDLE (JPN)
Taking to the Sha Tin turf, the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen winner was given an easy gallop, completing his final 400m in 28.3s.
Work rider Yoshinori Unoki said: “I drove him quite strongly towards the end of the gallop to familiarise him with the turf surface. He is in good condition and has been the same as how he is at home. He will work in the trotting ring tomorrow morning and then blow out on Wednesday.”
LUCKY BUBBLES (HK)
Cantered one lap of the Sha Tin all-weather track.
Trainer Francis Lui said: “He’s OK, I think he’s suited fresh and everything looks well with him. I think the freshen-up has reset his mind. As a mature horse, I think he just needs to be fresh – I always said I thought that would be the case, even when he was younger. He just cantered today and he will gallop tomorrow.”
