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Year in Review Santa Anita opening day HK Cup Entries Hong Kong Cup works Hollywood Derby Day |
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 Some of the Japanese horses in the walking ring (left to right): Dierdre, Vivlos, and Fine Needle. |
The Longines Hong Kong International Races will be run this Sunday afternoon at Sha Tin Racecourse. As usual, horses from Europe, Asia, and Australia ship in for the four Group 1 races, billed as the Turf World Championships, with the HK$28 million (about US$3.6 million) Hong Kong Cup the highlight of the afternoon, contested at 2000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles). Rain fell during training hours Friday, with temperatures near 70, so many of the international runners schooled in the paddock which has a retractible roof.
Here are photos for 11 of the international horses schooling in the covered walking ring on Friday morning. Click the small photo to see a larger version.
  Deirdre (Cup) cantered on the dirt track and then schooled in the paddock. Trainer Mitsuru Hashida flew into Hong Kong yesterday and said this morning: "She looks very well. Christophe Lemaire (jockey) also said she felt good after the gallop. When she travelled to Dubai, I thought she was pretty fit and in good form, but looking back, she has improved quite a lot since then. Of course she can handle a firm track like at home, but more rain would be very welcome. Thinking about the small field and the course at Sha Tin, she can race close to the speed but she doesn't need to – she runs her race." |
 Stormy Antarctic (Cup) galloped on the dirt and then schooled in the paddock. Trainer Ed Walker said: "He's in good shape and he's a much more relaxed horse than he used to be which will help him get home over the 1 1/4 miles. If he relaxes he is, definitely (a 10f horse). James (Doyle) got him to switch off really well when second at the trip in Germany. He's a much more settled horse since we gelded him." |
  Lys Gracieux (Vase) cantered 2 miles on the dirt then schooled in the paddock and the starting gate. Trainer Yoshito Yahagi said: "We gave her a nice long canter today. She has been eating up really well lately. I'm very pleased with how she has come together this week." |
 Salouen (Vase) cantered on the dirt and then schooled in the paddock under exercise rider Shaun Graham. Trainer Sylvester Kirk's representative Philip Mitchell said "He's looking great, and everything's good with the horse. Everything is going nicely towards Sunday, he's got a good draw, and all he really needs is a bit of racing luck." |
 Beat the Bank (Mile) cantered on the dirt track and then schooled in the paddock. Anna-Lisa Balding, wife and assistant to trainer Andrew said, "That's him, he's like that. Also you've got to remember that he trains at home in a very different environment. This is all foreign to him with so many horses around so we're not concerned that he wants to play up a little when he goes on to the track. That's just him and, in fact, we'd be more concerned if he didn't. But he's in good form and I hope he'll run up to his best. He's well and just had a good stretch of the legs this morning. This race has been a long term aim this year and he's in good order." |
 Mozu Ascot (Mile) cantered 1 1/2 miles on the dirt track then schooled in both the paddock and the starting gate. Trainer Yoshito Yahagi said: "He can tell that it is about time for him to race. I've got him right where I want him so hopefully he'll stay this way through race day." |
 One Master (Mile) galloped 1 1/4 miles on turf and then schooled in the paddock under exercise rider Alex Badri. Trainer William Haggas said, "To me she looks better in her coat than she did at the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) (finished 5th). She likes to travel and she's fit and well. She didn't do too much today, but then I didn't want her to do more than the minimum. When I had this race under consideration for her I discussed plans with her owners, the Jacksons (Roy and Gretchen) who live in Pennsylvania in the USA, and they were keen to give it a go. They are both in their eighties, and got into Hong Kong last night, which is great. I'd love her to stay in training and get them over to Royal Ascot next year. Why not! Her last two runs have been her best." |
  Persian Knight (Mile) schooled in the paddock and starting gate. Trainer Yasutoshi Ikee said: "The turf track at Sha Tin is harder than ever, so hopefully it will rain more. He is in very in good form, and of course I have all the numerical data on him, and that all says that he is pretty fit. He has a great coat and good muscle definition, and his breathing was good after his gallop. We have not requested to have a stall handler, but Comin' Through is drawn next to him and will have a stall handler, so this morning, he stayed at the gate to get familiar with the stall handler standing next to him." |
  Vivlos (Mile) cantered 1 1/2 miles on dirt and then schooled in the paddock. Trainer Yasuo Tomomichi said: "She has really relaxed into her surroundings. She schooled well in both the paddock and starting gate. She has no gate issues but since we will be using a stalls handler for this race we wanted to school her just to be safe." |
  Fine Needle (Sprint) warmed up in the paddock ring, schooled in the paddock, and then schooled in the starting gate. Exercise rider Yoshinori Unoki said: "His mood is good and he is relaxed. He has eaten up well and moved nicely after his work yesterday." |
  Lim's Cruiser (Sprint) wcantered 1 1/2 miles on the dirt and the schooled in the paddock. Trainer Stephen Gray said: "He's put on a little weight and done very well through the week. We'll take him for a stroll up to the parade ring again this morning just to keep him focused." |
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