LONGINES Hong Kong Cup

EDISA – FR
Cantered an easy lap of the all-weather track under regular work-rider Louise Grouselle.
Trainer Alain de Royer-Dupré said: “I found her to be much better this morning than on the other days and she has really adapted well to the environment. In physical terms she is in super shape. Different horses take more or less time to settle in but she has taken it all in her stride. We haven’t dared work her too hard but she is adapting well.”

MAGIC WAND – IRE
Cantered around a circuit of the all-weather track with two stable companions.
Trainer Aidan O’Brien said: “Yvonne (Zurcher) has been looking after her and she is very happy with her. Wayne (Lordan) sat on her on Thursday morning and was very happy too. She is just an incredible filly really and we are very lucky to have her.

“She has travelled a lot this year, but it has never bothered her. She takes absolutely everything in her stride. Ana (O’Brien) and Sarah (O’Brien) and the lads are all very happy with her.”

WIN BRIGHT – JPN
Warmed up in the trotting ring before he had a light canter the on all-weather track.
Trainer Yoshihiro Hatakeyama said: “I told the work rider not to go too fast, and the horse was very patient today. We have been doing the same training routine as we did for the G1 QEII Cup in the spring. All has gone as planned. He is in really good shape and I am looking forward to Sunday.”

LONGINES Hong Kong Mile

ADMIRE MARS – JPN
Worked for a lap around the all-weather course.
Trainer Yasuo Tomomichi said: “He is ready to race as evident by his light work this morning. Schooling went well yesterday.”

INDY CHAMP – JPN
Cantered for a lap around the all-weather course.
Trainer Hidetaka Otonashi said:  “We have been carefully managing him to make sure he doesn’t get too worked up and stays relaxed. He is in good condition for tomorrow.”

NORMCORE – JPN
Jogged in the trotting ring.
Trainer Kiyoshi Hagiwara said: “She is fit and ready for tomorrow.”

PERSIAN KNIGHT – JPN
Cantered easily for a lap over the all-weather.
The work rider Yuki Iwasaki said: “He is tuned up and is perfect for Sunday.”

ZAAKI – GB
Cantered a couple of circuits of the all-weather track, looking the most relaxed he has done all week but before working he did again plant himself in front of the trainers’ stand at the end of the home straight and had to be coaxed to move on.
Travelling head groom Sarah Denniff said: “All good. Fingers crossed for tomorrow.”

LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint

DANON SMASH – JPN
Went around the all-weather for a lap and a half, starting out in a canter then galloping down the straight, covering 400m in 27.3s.
Assistant trainer Keiichiro Yasuda said: “He has been progressing nicely since arriving to Hong Kong. He is in a really good place right now, I’m very happy with him.”

IN HER TIME – AUS
Easy breeze on the turf track after which the stewards released a statement..
STEWARDS’ STATEMENT: An examination of In Her Time, trained by Mr. Kris Lees, has found that horse to have sustained a quarter crack in its left front foot. In Her Time will be subject to a further veterinary examination tomorrow (Sunday) morning to assess its suitability to race. A further release will be issued at that time.

LONGINES Hong Kong Vase

ANTHONY VAN DYCK – IRE
Cantered around a circuit of the all-weather track.
Trainer Aidan O’Brien said: “Anthony Van Dyck has travelled over well and Dean (Gallagher), who has been riding him every day, has been really happy with him. Ryan (Moore) gave him a spin on the grass on Thursday too and he was very happy. We have decided to go with the blinkers as we just felt that, on a sharp track like Sha Tin, they might sharpen him up a bit.”

ASPETAR – GB
Stayed in the quarantine barn but trainer Roger Charlton and big-race jockey Jason Watson walked the turf track.

CALLED TO THE BAR – FR
Looked a little more in the zone when cantering a lap of the all-weather track under trainer Pia Brandt, who expressed confidence that the five-year-old is in the right shape to thrive on Sunday. The gelding was cleared by the HKJC vet, having been lame in the right front leg yesterday.
Brandt said: “Everything is fine with him now. He gave me the answers I was hoping for, he was much more serious and with his mind now on the job. He knows what’s needed. He took hold of the bit and was really keen to gallop.”

DEIRDRE – JPN
Had a light workout for an hour including an easy canter.
Trainer Mitsuru Hashida said: “She is very fresh and is prepared for the race.”

GLORY VASE – JPN
Had an easy canter for a lap over the all-weather track.
Work rider Yoichi Yahara said: “He has accomplished what he had to do over the week and is all set for the big event. He did nice final preparation work today.”

LUCKY LILAC – JPN
Cantered a lap and a half around the all-weather track and closed through the final 400m in 24.5s. She was passed by the HKJC vet having been lame in the left front leg yesterday.
Trainer Mikio Matsunaga said: “She has not lost any condition and is really fit. She passed her final vet check today with no issues.”

MOUNT EVEREST – IRE
Cantered around a circuit of the all-weather track.
Trainer Aidan O’Brien said: “Mount Everest started off later than most of ours this year and he has been progressing slowly with every run. Dean (Gallagher) rode him on the grass on Thursday and he said he felt very good.”

PRINCE OF ARRAN – GB
Did a circuit of the all-weather track and was full of enthusiasm as was rider Natasha Eaton.
Eaton said: “We are still really happy with him, and with his good gate (8) we are sure that he is going to run much closer than last year (when seven and a half lengths eighth).”

TRUE SELF – IRE
Had a more eventful morning than usual as the mare was momentarily distracted when breaking into a canter close to the winning line and dislodged exercise rider David Casey, who landed on his feet and had the situation under full control. She went on to complete a canter around the all-weather track.
Casey, the assistant to trainer Willie Mullins said: “It was all fine, Willie’s very happy with her and so am I. Kerrin McEvoy has come in for the ride, he’s a top jockey so we’re hoping for the best.”

YOUNG RASCAL – GB
Cantered a lap of the all-weather track and looked relaxed and ready.
Trainer William Haggas said: “He’s all good. We’re very happy.”