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2023 Longines Hong Kong International Races
Workout Photos

The Aidan O'Brien string comes out on Wednesday morning.

The Longines Hong Kong International Races will be run this Sunday afternoon (Saturday night in North America) 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$36 million (US$4.61 million) Hong Kong Cup the highlight of the afternoon, contested at 2000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles). Conditions were excellent during training hours Wednesday, with sunny skies and a daytime high of 22.9 C (73.2 F) Many contenders took to the 1 mile dirt track which is located inside the 1 3/16 mile turf course.

• Free 2023 Form Guide - past performances for all four races in PDF format
• Results for the 2022 Longines Hong Kong International Races

Here are photos for 8 of the international horses out on on the dirt track and turf course at Sha Tin on Wednesday morning. Click the small photo to see a larger version.

Aesop's Fables (Sprint) galloped once around on the dirt track. Pat Keating, assistant to trainer Aidan O'Brien said, "They got here on Saturday morning and everything has been great, not a bother with them. We'll just be gradually building it up through the week but we're very happy with them."

Divina (Mile) galloped 6 furlongs on the turf, timed the final 1/4 mile in 22.7 seconds. Shohei Matsudate (stable representative) said: "It was an easy work, just getting her some experience on the turf track. She is in very good form."

Highfield Princess (Sprint) trotted and walked most of a lap of the turf course before having a breeze down the home straight, quickening to run the final 1/4 in 23.6 seconds. Trainer John Quinn said: "All grand, she just quickened up over the last couple of furlongs. She'll exercise every day but that's about it. She's a very good traveller, she 's very intelligent and likes different things. She's travelled over here great."

Jasper Krone (Sprint) galloped once around on the dirt track and schooled in the paddock. Stable representative Daishi Hidaka said: "I am happy with his good condition. His appetite has been very good and no worries about his form."

Junko (Vase) galloped once around on the dirt track under exercise rider Frank Panicucci. Richard Lambert, assistant to trainer Andre Fabre said, "He is a lot more relaxed now than he was earlier in his career and has a good mind. He is maturing now and I think the trip at the beginning of the year [to Dubai] did him a lot of good.”

Prognosis (Cup) galloped 6 furlongs on the turf, timed the final 1/4 mile in 24.1 seconds. Jockey Yuga Kawada said: "I made sure not to overwork him. He responded well when I asked for a little bit on the homestretch. Everything has been going well so far, and I hope it continues in the next few days."

Serifos (Mile) galloped 6 furlongs on the turf, timed the final 1/4 mile in 23.3 seconds. Jockey Yuga Kawada said: "He has definitely improved from his last start. I hope he will be relaxed and settled at the racetrack on Sunday."

Shahryar (Vase) blew out 1/2 a mile on the turf, timed the final 1/4 mile in 23.9 seconds under exercise rider Koji Nishizuka, after which trainer Hideaki Fujiwara said: "He is in very good form, even better than when he was in America. He reacted well on the homestretch, and he moves better on the turf at Sha Tin than on the turf at Santa Anita." However, he was scratched from the race by the veterinarians before the draw. Hong Kong Jockey Club chief stipendiary steward Marc Van Gestel said, "The Department of Veterinary Regulation, Welfare and Biosecurity Policy have advised that Shahryar has been identified to have a potential health issue, and therefore, has been withdrawn."