In advance of his first overseas challenge, Howdeepisyourlove continues to satisfy trainer John Size as preparations keep on for the five-year-old speedster ahead of Dubai’s G1 Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) on Dubai World Cup Night (Saturday, 5 April) at Meydan.

Size’s Group 3 winner is aiming to join Joy And Fun (2010), Amber Sky (2014) and California Spangle (2024) on the Al Quoz Sprint honour roll when he ships to the Middle East to represent Hong Kong, China along with Romantic Warrior and Sword Point.

Global star Romantic Warrior is preparing for the G1 Dubai Turf (1800m), while Frankie Lor’s Sword Point contests the G2 Godolphin Mile (1600m, dirt).

Tuning up this morning (Tuesday, 11 March) at Sha Tin, Howdeepisyourlove finished an untested fifth over 1050m on dirt in 1m 02.38s under jockey Ben Thompson. Stablemate Stellar Express was first across the line in the same batch, clocking 1m 02.04s.

“He (Howdeepisyourlove) looks to be in pretty good shape. He’s healthy and well. I think he flies on the 24th (of March), so at the moment everything is on track,” Size said.

The Deep Field gelding rates 116 locally. He has placed third twice at Group 1 level behind Ka Ying Rising and is a one-time winner (from one attempt) on Sha Tin’s straight course in the HK$4.2 million G3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy Handicap (1000m) last January.  

James McDonald rides Howdeepisyourlove next month in the United Arab Emirates.

California Spangle led home a star-studded opening trial this morning in 1m 10.95s. The Group 1 winner bested Invincible Shield, Galaxy Patch, Helios Express, Nucleozor, Superb Kid, Beauty Eternal, Ensued and Red Lion over 1200m on dirt.

Galaxy Patch next features in the HK$5.35 million G2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m) on 30 March for trainer Pierre Ng, who is yet to make a call on contesting either the HK$24 million G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) or HK$28 million G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) on FWD Champions Day (27 April) at Sha Tin with the five-year-old.

“I’m really happy with the trial. It didn’t seem too fast. He was a little bit keen around the bend and in the straight he needed a signal (from the jockey) and he came back up easily.

“He’s healthy, he’s fit and we’re going for the Group 2 at the end of the month. We’ll see how he performs before we decide on FWD Champions Day. It depends on what the opposition will be and also how he runs over the mile. We’ll see,” Ng said. 

Galaxy Patch clocked 1m 11.45s in third position with Matthew Poon up. The fixture on 30 March at Sha Tin also features the HK$5.35 million G2 Sprint Cup (1200m).