Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup
AL AIN (JPN)
Worked in the trotting ring and cantered around the all-weather track.
Assistant trainer Shin Otose said: “Everything has gone well so far. He has been relaxed and has maintained his good form. He will gallop on the turf course tomorrow.”
DANBURITE (JPN)
Cantered for one and a half laps on the all-weather track.
Assistant trainer Shinichiro Kobayashi said: “He is still relaxed and is a happy horse. He was not stiff after the gallop on Monday. Tommy Berry will work him on turf to get a feel of him tomorrow.”
DINOZZO (HK)
Given an easy gallop over 800m, recording 59.2s (33.9, 25.3) for the solo workout.
EAGLE WAY (HK)
Cantered on the inner small all-weather track.
Trainer John Moore said: “He trialled so well on the dirt, I think he’d be a great dirt horse if given the chance. He’s heading towards the 2400m races – he’ll back-up into the Group 3 handicap, the Queen Mother Memorial Cup that he won last year, it’s a week after Sunday’s race. He’s not making up numbers, though, he’s in there with a live chance, especially if Mother Nature is kind to us and we can get some nice cut in the ground.”
PING HAI STAR (HK)
Breezed over 400m, timed at 26.4s for the two-furlong work.
Champions Mile
BEAUTY GENERATION (HK)
Cantered on the small inner all-weather track.
Trainer John Moore said: “We’ve made a concerted effort to freshen him right up. He will gallop tomorrow morning (Thursday), just on the all-weather track, not on the turf, with Zac (Purton) aboard.”
BEAUTY ONLY (HK)
Cantered on the small inner all-weather track.
Jockey Neil Callan said: “I saw him yesterday on the track and he looks nice and relaxed. He’s got a little bit of bounce in him so hopefully that’s a good sign. I’m just looking forward to getting on him on Sunday.”
PINGWU SPARK (HK)
Galloped over 800m on the Sha Tin all-weather track with race day rider Derek Leung in the saddle, clocking 52.7s (28.2, 24.5).
Chairman’s Sprint Prize
BLUE POINT (UAE)
Cantered a circuit of the all-weather track under work rider Giuseppe Bussu before schooling in the paddock.
Sophie Chretien, assistant to trainer Charlie Appleby, said: “Today he cantered a circuit on the dirt. It was just an easy canter. Then he schooled in the paddock. Tomorrow we’re planning to show him the grass for the first time to get him used to it, he’ll gallop over a couple of furlongs to stretch his legs. We’re very happy with him.”
FINE NEEDLE (JPN)
Caught the eye with a turf gallop under big-race rider Tommy Berry – clocked 51.9s (29.2, 22.7) for 800m.
Jockey Tommy Berry said: “He switched into gear quickly when I asked him, he felt really good and was concentrating on what he was doing. He moved nicely and was breathing well; he feels like he’s really fit and is in perfect form. I am very much looking forward to Sunday.”
Trainer Yoshitada Takahashi said: “He had his final gallop today. I advised Tommy Berry to drive him sharply over the last 400m without losing the horse’s rhythm, and Tommy confirmed the horse felt good. My horse has been very settled since he arrived and he looks good, everything has gone as planned so far. Usually he wears ear muffs in training and races, but today I asked the staff to leave them off to make him a bit sharper mentally – he won’t wear them on Sunday either. The turf track looks very well, and I heard the drainage is good, so there is no concern about the rain forecast. I would like to draw from inside to the middle. He will stay in the trotting area tomorrow.”
IVICTORY (HK)
Worked 800m on the all-weather track in 59.2s (33.2 26.0).
Trainer John Size said: “Certainly he’s rated well below these horses, but this is where he is going to go in life so he may as well have some experience at that before the summer comes.”
MR STUNNING (HK)
Worked 800m on the all-weather track.
Trainer John Size said: “He’s extremely brave, he does put it down every day and I hope he does it again on the 29th. He produces whatever he’s got to give you and we see the effects of that at home, he always goes home and looks like he’s had a tough run. But when the next race comes along, he’s ready again.”
PENIAPHOBIA (HK)
Exercised on the small inner all-weather track.
Jockey Neil Callan said: “He’s getting a bit older now and he’s lost his natural turn-of-foot but he’s still been running well enough. The race is always run to suit him because he makes his own pace and it’s not a big field so he just might get in the money again.”
THEWIZARDOFOZ (HK)
Worked on the all-weather track in 58.0s (32.3 25.7).
Trainer John Size said: “He hasn’t had the racing (this season) the other horses have had, but he’s had the experience previously so that will help him. He seems in good shape, he’s nice and fresh, he’s in good order. He’s had three trials, so he’ll be running in the prize money somewhere. He’s always had plenty of ability but he’s had some problems to go with that. Last year, it was evident with his very good performance in the Group 3 over 1400m, so he may do that again.”
