LONGINES Hong Kong Cup
Content and Wingspan – IRE
Aidan O’Brien’s squad was out in formation again behind lead horse Hypnosis, trotting past the finishing line and heading out for another canter on the all-weather track, clocking times of 1.34.4 (30.0s, 32.9s and 31.5s) for Content and 1.34.4 (30.5s, 32.9s and 31.0s) over 1200m
Travelling head lad Pat Keating said: “They just went a mile and it all went well. I would think we’ll just stay on the all-weather this week, it’s what we usually do. It could change and we could take them on the turf but we’ll leave that to the trainer when he gets here.”
Liberty Island – JPN
Breezed on the turf, clocking 1.22.8 (31.6s, 28.7s and 22.5s) over 1200m.
“Making sure she reacts and moves well at the last furlong. I am a little bit relieved that she is in good form after travelling to Hong Kong. Everything is going well so far. I hope she will have a nice few days towards the race on Sunday,” Yuga Kawada said.
The Foxes – GB
Worked as a trio with Starlust and Giavellotto, with those two horses ahead of him. Built up to a strong canter for a lap of the all-weather track, clocking 1.33.1 (30.4s, 31.0s and 31.7s) over 1200m.
Stable representative Dwayne Pettitt: “I was very happy with that. It’s just a case of keeping him ticking over. He’ll have a blowout on the turf tomorrow. He takes everything in his stride and he’s very relaxed. That’s the best he’s been moving for about three months. He just needed to get his head in front on the track.”
LONGINES Hong Kong Mile
Antino – AUS
Breezed on turf, clocking 1.26.0 (32.6s, 29.1s and 24.3s) over 1200m.
Trainer Tony Gollan: “I’m glad Ciaron’s (Maher) horse (Recommendation) got to follow him around. He is lazy and likes a mate. He is very fresh and quite playful as your saw.
“The volume of his slow work is a little bit less here with the dirt. We just wanted to stretch his legs out and we think he is in great shape.”
Jantar Mantar – JPN
Breezed on the turf, clocking 1.18.1 (29.5s, 26.6s and 22.0s) over 1200m.
“This is his first international trip, but I have been told he is adapting very well. In fact, He is in good form. I asked him on the home stretch as this is his first race since May, and it was a good gallop. He will be ready on Sunday,” Yuga Kawada said.
LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint
Recommendation – AUS
Recommendation worked behind Antino on the turf, clocking 1.26.4 (32.5s, 29.1s and 24.8s) over 1200m with pair working together over 1000m and running home the last 400m.
Recommendation overcame a minor mishap when coming onto track with Antino when he dumped track rider Anna Weatherlake. He headed back towards the quarantine stables but was quickly caught and led back by trainer Ciaron Maher who said: “He shied because Antino shied and she just popped off the side.”
Starlust – GB
Last month’s G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (1000m) winner had another canter over a lap of the all-weather track before heading for parade ring schooling, with work rider Emma Wilkinson returning to the stables with a smile on her face.
Alex Cole, racing manager for owners Dr Jim and Fitri Hay, said: “A Breeders’ Cup winner running anywhere is very exciting. He’s a horse that is three years old, he’s run in Dubai, France, England, America and this will be his 11th run this year. He shouldn’t be enjoying it as much as he is but he does, he loves it.
“He enjoys his job and while he enjoys his job, we’re going to enjoy it with him. We’ve had to supplement him, if you finish top-three you’re over the moon but he’s a Breeders’ Cup winner over five furlongs, round a bend.
“They’ll go hard but we’ll worry about ourselves. He very rarely lets us down. I think a flat track will be to his liking as well.”
LONGINES Hong Kong Vase
Luxembourg and Continuous – IRE
Aidan O’Brien’s squad followed lead horse Hypnosis, trotting past the finishing line and heading out for another canter on the all-weather track, clocking 1.34.4 (30.5s, 33.0s and 30.9s) for Luxembourg and 1.34.4 (30.6s, 32.9s and 30.9s) for Continuous over 1200m.
Travelling head lad Pat Keating said: “They just went a mile and it all went well. I would think we’ll just stay on the all-weather this week, it’s what we usually do. It could change and we could take them on the turf but we’ll leave that to the trainer when he gets here.”
Pradaria – JPN
Breezed on the turf, clocking 1.20.0 (30.3s, 26.8s and 22.9s) over 1200m.
“He is in good form. It was his first time on the turf track at Sha Tin and he was looking around. He reacted well when he was asked and it was a nice gallop,” Manabu Ikezoe said.
Stellenbosch – JPN
Stellenbosch had a steady gallop with jockey Joao Moreira on board, following Liberty Island, on turf track, clocking 1.20.7 (30.1s, 27.1s and 23.5s) over 1200m.
Trainer Sakae Kunieda said: “Joao was very pleased with her condition. Joao told me she was in great shape and responded well to accelerate remarkably in the stretch. He also mentioned she was moving nicely and after gallop she was breathing very well. At the moment, I have nothing to complain about her condition. She is very settled in at the quarantine barn and is getting sharpened up for the big race. I think everything has gone ideal.”
Without A Fight – AUS
Cantered one lap on all-weather track.
Trainer Sam Freedman: “His main piece of work was on the turf yesterday and he has pulled up fit. He’ll possibly just now be on the dirt.”
