FWD QEII Cup

DANON THE KID – JPN
Danon The Kid had an easy canter for one lap on the main all-weather track under work rider Keiichiro Yasuda.

Yasuda said: “He feels great. He has been very relaxed here as it is his second time staying here. I could feel that he was very settled in during trackwork”

DUBAI HONOUR – GB
The William Haggas-trained FWD QEII Cup contender cantered on the all-weather track after galloping on the turf yesterday morning (Tuesday, 25 April). 

Regular rider Issy Paul, who also attended to the horse during his successful Sydney campaign, was happy after today’s exercise. 

GERALDINA – JPN
A well-bred five-year-old mare by three-time G1 winner in Hong Kong Maurice out of seven-time G1 winner Gentildonna worked steadily for 1200m on the turf track under G1-winning jockey Taisei Danno, clocking 1m 23.7s (34.1, 27.5, 22.1).

Danno said: “The reason why I had a chance to come to Hong Kong this time was because my stable trainer, actually my official boss, is Takashi Saito of Geraldina and my father is a groom of this mare, so Mr. Saito asked me to have some riding experiences at Sha Tin. Also, I always gallop her in Japan, and it is easy to judge her condition.

“Geraldina is the best progeny out of Gentildonna. I have never rode either Maurice or Gentildonna, but Geraldina is very flexible and a beautiful mover. She is a smart and talented mare, which definitely are from her father and mother.

“She was a bit nervous when she came out onto the turf track because it was her first time to work on the surface, but she moved nicely and relaxed during the gallop. I believe she is in great order and I hope she keeps her good condition until race day.”

PROGNOSIS – JPN
Consistent performer with five wins, Prognosis had a warm-up in the trotting ring, followed by a breeze for 1200m on the turf track under jockey Zac Purton, clocking 1m26.4s (33.2, 29.1, 24.1).

The work rider Yasunari Kiyoyama said: “Today’s gallop was just having my horse familiarised with the turf surface, so I asked Zac to drive a bit strongly towards the end of the gallop to get the feel of the horse. I am very pleased with his good condition and all goes well. He will have a stall handler on Sunday. As the field is small, the draw is not a big concern.”

Zac Purton said: “I was pleasantly surprised he is quite a nice horse and it was beautiful to ride. He was lovely and relaxed, he did his work without any fuss or any problem, he had a good look at the track I can tell, he was not quite sure about where he was meant to go, he worked that out and I thought his work was good and he pulled up nicely, I was very happy with him.”

FWD Champions Mile

AEGON – NZ
Worked easily doing two laps on the main all-weather track with track rider Hanna Orting.

Orting said: “He worked well and will have a gallop tomorrow.”

MY OBERON – AUS
Was very relaxed, cantering one lap of the main all-weather track for track rider Shari May who is looking after the horse until trainer Annabel Neasham arrives later in the week.

May said: “I was very happy and he was nice and relaxed and is happy. I am not sure at this stage whether he’ll have another gallop.”

Chairman’s Sprint Prize

AGURI – JPN
Cantered easily for a lap on the main all-weather track under assistant Keiichiro Yasuda. 

Yasuda said: “In consideration of the hot weather and humidity, I have changed the galloping day from today to tomorrow. He is getting settled in day-by-day. He is feeling really good and I am happy with it.”

FLAMING RIB – GB
Easy canter on the all-weather track under rider Derwyn Williams, assistant to trainer Hugo Palmer. 

“He’s well in himself. Just keeping him fresh and happy,” Williams said.