FWD QEII Cup

CALIF (BHR)

Took to the turf under big-race jockey Adrie de Vries, starting at a medium canter before quickening in the straight, clocking 1m 31.4s (34.4, 31.7, 25.3) over 1200m.

Adrie de Vries said: “We just let him stretch his legs a little bit and have a feel for the turf. We gave him a little blow. He felt really good. He’s nice and relaxed, pricking his ears and taking everything in his stride so I’m happy with him. Today is the first time I’ve sat on him while out here but I know him well and he looks in great shape. This is my fourth time here and it’s so nice to be here.”

EL VENCEDOR (NZ)

Worked on the all-weather track after galloping on the course proper on Thursday (24 April).

Track rider Emma Smith said: “He felt super, brilliant He worked well.”

GOLIATH (FR)

Cantered very steadily on the all-weather track under the watchful eye of his trainer Francis-Henri Graffard before heading to the parade ring to school.

Francis-Henri Graffard said: “He looked great – a bit light. He lost a bit of weight during transport but he’s back on his feed now. He looked well under the saddle on the track, my team here are very happy with him, so I’m pleased.”

FWD Champions Mile

GAIA FORCE (JPN)

Haruki Sugiyama’s two trainees Lugal and Gaia Force had light canter on the all-weather track.

The stable representative Daisuke Hiraiwa mentioned about Gaia Force: “Since the surface on the all-weather was quite firm due to recent rain and no harrowing was done, we kept the workout light – just enough to stretch them out. He is maintaining good condition. Tomorrow, we plan to let them move with a bit more stride.”

GOEMON (BHR)

Got a taste of the turf track as planned but completed his workout in a much slower fashion than his fellow Bahraini Calif.

Trainer Haider Shaheen said: “He just did a very relaxed, slow canter on the turf just to get a feel of the place ahead of race day. Yesterday I gave him a fast jog. He’ll come out tomorrow and just do another steady canter on the all-weather track.”

MR BRIGHTSIDE (AUS)

Did some pace work on the turf course proper, clocking 28.7s over 400m.

Co-trainer Ben Hayes said: “It was just a bit of maintenance work and his action was good. He was bright and happy and he walked past beautiful. He is feeling a bit fresher now.

“He just quickened from the 800m and ran home in 28sec. He was cruising and it was just maintenance work.”

ROYAL PATRONAGE (AUS)

Worked on the turf course proper, clocking 1m 24.8s (30.7, 29.2, 24.9) over 1200m.

Co-trainer Adrian Bott said: “He handled himself well and looks to have pulled up nicely. All looks to be in order heading into Sunday’s race.

“He just stretched his legs and wasn’t out there to do too much. All the work has been done.”

Chairman’s Sprint Prize

A SHIN FENCER (JPN)

A Shin Fencer cantered full circuit on the all-weather track.

Trainer Keiji Yoshimura watched with the owner Hirotsugu Hirai and said: “She hasn’t lost her appetite since arrival. There are no concerns about her condition. When she turned into the stretch, she was on the bit and showed good forward energy—enough that the rider had to hold her back a little. She’s showing just the right amount of spirit, which is encouraging. The track felt quite firm at first, but since it hadn’t been harrowed after the local horses used it, the surface turned out to be more manageable than expected.”