3 minute read

LONGINES Hong Kong Cup

Calif – FR

Yann Lerner was pleased with what he saw as Calif took an easy tour of the all-weather track under regular work rider Stephane Ladjadj, finishing off in a leisurely 29.7s for the final 400m.

Lerner said: "The only thing which is a slight concern is, with that draw (eight of 11), that he manages to get a good position early on. Everyone knows that at Sha Tin, if you get too far off the lead down the back straight, it's difficult to make up the ground. He's is not always the quickest away but the ideal scenario is if he breaks okay and gets in the second or third wave."

 Content and Wingspan – IRE 

Aidan O'Brien was present for the first time this week to see his squad step out once again on the all-weather track, cantering in a line for a circuit behind their lead horse Hypnosis.

O'Brien said: "They just did a steady canter again today and they might do a little bit more tomorrow. They seem to be in good form."

Liberty Island - JPN

Stretched her legs over the all-weather track.

The stable representative Yuya Katayama said: "She was calm and relaxed but sensitive enough to respond to even the slightest motion and seemed to be in good shape. We also had a gate practice this morning, and everything is going well. We have two more days to go, and I want to focus on having her conditioned.

 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile

Lazzat – FR

 The Golden Eagle runner-up has eschewed the Sha Tin turf for the comforts of the all-weather since last Saturday and once again cantered under Franck Blondel. 

Trainer Jerome Reynier said: "It was always the idea to come here after the Golden Eagle but he had to show us that he had recovered well from the long journey to Australia and the hard race. 

"I've been very happy with him for the last few days and this morning I thought he went nicely. Everything seems to be good and we're lucky enough to have a nice draw in the middle. Seven out of 14 is a nice spot for Cristian (Demuro) who has never ridden him before."

Asked if he thought Lazzat might be ridden slightly more conservatively than was the case at Rosehill, Reynier added: "He always jumps really well but last time he missed the break and then was a bit too fresh after three months without a run. He pulled Antonio (Orani) to the front but once he got there he relaxed, until the other horse came up and hassled him too far from home. 

"He can sit next to the leader with no problem - he's done if before in the Prix Maurice de Gheest and the Prix Paul de Moussac - he doesn't need to be covered up, but he needs a fast pace because he has a high cruising speed and that's why we brought him back in trip progressively in France. 

"He's a pure flyer but I think he should be able to stay the trip over 1600 metres on a firm flat track around one turn. His female family is that of Ali Royal and Sleepytime, it's a pure miling family."

LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint

Toshin Macau – JPN

 Toshin Macau had easy jogging in the trotting ring before he went to the gate schooling.

Stable representative Takashi Komine said," We found no problem with his condition after his gallop. All goes well he will have a final piece of work over the all-weather tomorrow."

LONGINES Hong Kong Vase

 Dubai Honour – GB

Appeared for the second time on turf this week, with Issy Paul giving him another steady gallop on the grass, clocking 57.6s (30.9s and 26.7s) over 800m. Assistant trainer Maureen Haggas was on track for the first time this week to oversee this stage of his preparation. 

She said: "I thought he looked great. It's a funny time of the year for us in Britain because the weather is getting colder, but he still looks good in his coat. He's in good form."

Giavellotto - GB

Usual canter for a lap of the all-weather track.

Stable representative: "We're really happy with him. He's settled down and worked well. He's nice and relaxed. We're really happy."

Iresine – FR

 After being asked to stretch out and go past his lead horse on Thursday, Jean-Pierre Gauvin was good to his word as Iresine followed the companion at the gentlest of hack canters.

Luxembourg and Continuous – IRE

Aidan O'Brien was present for the first time this week to see his squad step out once again on the all-weather track, cantering in a line for a circuit behind their lead horse Hypnosis.

O'Brien said: "They just did a steady canter again today and they might do a little bit more tomorrow. They seem to be in good form."

Marquisat – FR

Cantered around the all-weather track under Tony Farina in front of trainer Andre Fabre, who will be going in search of a fourth LONGINES Hong Kong Vase on Sunday.

Marquisat ran 28.4 seconds for the final 200m, which was actually a couple of seconds faster than his reconnaissance mission on the turf two days ago.