LONGINES Hong Kong Cup
Luxembourg – IRE
Trainer Aidan O’Brien’s four HKIR runners trottted in the same formation as on Monday, behind the lead horse. The team cantered a lap of the all-weather course.
Stable representative Pat Keating said: “All good. It was just a steady canter today and they might just go a little bit quicker tomorrow. Hopefully the boss [O’Brien] will be here some time tomorrow but we’re happy with them.”
Luxembourg was joined by Aesop’s Fables (Sprint); Cairo (Mile) and Warm Heart (Vase).
Horizon Dore – FR
Completed a gentle lap of the Sha Tin all-weather track under work rider Dorian Gonzales before breezing home in a leisurely 26.4 seconds over the closing 400m.
Christophe Peyne, stable representative for trainer Patrice Cottier, said: “He is in good form. I think he is sweating less now than when he first arrived so he seems to be adapting well. Dorian was pleased with his canter and I doubt he’ll go on the turf during the week.
“He worked before we left home and now it’s all about recuperation and maintaining his form. The horse is ready. He’ll find it easier on this firm turf than in the deep ground at Ascot and we just need an even pace to help him settle.”
Rousham Park – JPN
Warmed up in the trotting ring before cantering for a lap on the all-weather track.
The stable representative Shimpei Oguchi said: “He keeps good form. He was very motivated when he worked at the track, which is a good sign. From the time he came out on the track this morning, he was more settled.”
Hishi Iguazu – JPN
Warmed up in the trotting ring before cantering for 2000m on the all-weather track. He was also taken to the paddock to get familiarized with that area.
Trainer Noriyuki Hori’s stable representative Tomohiro Takahashi said: “Everything is under control at the moment. He was very settled when he walked in the paddock.”
Prognosis – JPN
One and a half laps canter on the all-weather track and paddock schooled.
Yasunari Kiyoyama (stable representative) said: “He trains well and is settled since he came here in April. (Yuga) Kawada will be galloping him tomorrow.”
Money Catcher – HKG
Cantered one lap of the inner track.
Jockey Derek Leung said: “Romantic Warrior and the Japanese horses make it a tough race but he is fit and well – he will be good,”
LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint
Highfield Princess – GB
Cantered 1000 metres on the all-weather track.
Trainer John Quinn said: “She cantered five furlongs. Jason Hart will ride her on Friday. I’m happy with her. She looks nice and bright. She’s quite relaxed and she takes everything in, she’s got a good mind. Fingers crossed.”
Jasper Krone – JPN
Easy canter for 1.5 laps on the all-weather track before walking in the paddock for schooling.
The stable representative Daishi Hidaka said: “I am happy with his good condition. His appetite has been very good and no worries about his form. He will explore in the paddock area again tomorrow.”
Mad Cool – JPN
Cantered on the all-weather track and paddock schooled.
Shuhei Nakura (stable representative) said: “He is getting stronger on the bridle as we did a fast workout last weekend. He is not too nervous and everything is going well so far toward the race. His schooling went well at the parade ring as well.”
LONGINES Hong Kong Vase
Junko – FR
Cantered just under a lap of the all-weather under work rider Frank Panicucci, following stablemate Tribalist (Mile).
Richard Lambert, stable representative for trainer Andre Fabre, said: “He is a lot more relaxed now than he was earlier in his career and has a good mind. He is maturing now and I think the trip at the beginning of the year [to Dubai] did him a lot of good.”
Zeffiro – JPN
Cantered for 1.5 laps on the all-weather track.
The stable representative Yuki Iwasaki said: “All has gone well. He moved nicely and was breathing well during the canter. He will have a paddock schooling tomorrow.”
Geraldina – JPN
Cantered for 1.5 laps on the all-weather track.
Stable representative Masaru Danno said: “She was very keen to move and seemed to be in good form. No worries.”
Shahryar – JPN
Cantered on the all-weather track.
Trainer Hideaki Fujiwara said: “He arrived in Hong Kong earlier than the others as he travelled straight from America. He is in good form, and we will gallop him tomorrow morning.”
Lebensstil – JPN
Cantered on the all-weather track and paddock schooled.
Toshihiko Hokari (stable representative) said: “He is in good condition and moves well. We will probably work him faster or longer on the all-weather track tomorrow”
West Wind Blows – UAE
Worked 1400m on the turf under raceday jockey James McDonald; 1200m in 1m18.1s; last 400m in 23.0s.
McDonald said : “He is a beautiful horse. He worked really well.”
Stable representative Paul Holley said: “He worked over 1400m (on the turf) and he just built up and let him stride-on for the last 600m.”
Holley said it would probably be the gelding’s last gallop before Sunday’s race.
LONGINES Hong Kong Mile
Encountered – HKG
Cantered one lap of the main track.
Jockey Derek Leung said: “It’s the right time to test him at this level. Because he’s had a couple of good runs, some time off, he’s fresh and he’s feeling good. The draw could be a big help against these horses. I can’t wait to see how he performs.”
Namur – JPN
One lap canter on the all-weather track.
Yohei Ogawa (stable representative) said: “Everything goes well, and we will gallop her on turf tomorrow morning”
Divina – JPN
Trotted in quarantine stable.
Shohei Matsudate (stable representative) said: “She is very relaxed and maintains her appetite. In very good condition indeed.”
Danon The Kid – JPN
One and a half laps canter on the all-weather track.
Keiichiro Yasuda (stable representative) said: “He is relaxed and easy. So far, very good.”
Serifos – JPN
One and a half laps canter on the all-weather track and paddock schooled.
Shinya Matsuoka (stable representative) said: “He trains well and is getting used to the track surface in Hong Kong day by day. Parade ring schooling went well because Prognosis was leading him. (Yuga) Kawada will ride his gallop tomorrow on turf.”
Soul Rush – JPN
Easy canter for 1.5 laps of the all-weather track.
Yasutoshi Ikee’s stable representative Yuki Iwasaki said: “He’s good. He showed nice footwork during the work and was breathing well. He will have paddock schooling tomorrow with his stablemate Zeffiro.”
Tribalist – FR
Cantered just under a lap of the all-weather track under work rider Johann Herve, leading stablemate Junko (Vase).
Richard Lambert, stable representative for trainer Andre Fabre, said: “It’s a bit warmer again this morning but they have both adapted well. They are both in good shape and it’s a case of making sure they stay that way ahead of the race on Sunday.
“Tribalist is a horse who has made the running but things might be a little different in terms of the Japanese and other runners here. The draw might be a determining factor for him.”
Lim’s Kosciuszko – SIN
Steady work on the all-weather track.
Trainer Dan Meagher said: “He did one and a half laps.
He’ll do two laps tomorrow (on the all-weather track) and then will do one lap for the rest of the week.
“You can see he is relaxed and not pulling. He was a bit stirred up yesterday, but he’ll be right.”
