FWD QEII Cup
EL VENCEDOR (NZ)
Worked on the all-weather track, clocking 1m 05.30s (32.7, 32.6) over 800m.
Trainer Stephen Marsh said the gelding had been working on the quarantine sand and today was his first venture on the all-weather track.
“He is striding out nice,” he said. “He’ll have a good hit-out on the turf on Thursday (24 April) with Zac (Purton). And that will do him.”
LIBERTY ISLAND (JPN)
Japanese Triple Tiara-winning mare Liberty Island undertook an easy canter for one and a half laps on the all-weather, clocking 27.6s over the final 400m.
“Her condition has improved compared to last time when she ran in Hong Kong. The placement wasn’t bad in the previous run in Hong Kong, so this time it depends on whether the conditions suit her,” said the stable representative, Yuya Katayama.
PROGNOSIS (JPN)
Prognosis who has travelled to Hong Kong three times in the last two years had an easy canter on the all-weather track and also went through the gates.
Work rider Yasunari Kiyoyama said, “We hadn’t push him too hard in training in Japan, and his preparations are still progressing and he has rooms for improving going into the race. We will give him a gate schooling on Friday (25 April) again.”
TASTIERA (JPN)
Tastiera, who is set to have his first since finishing third in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) in December, hacked for one lap on the all-weather track before having paddock schooling.
Work rider Tomohiro Takahashi said: “He was a bit tense, but he seemed to feel better than last year, and he was able to run with a good rhythm.”
CAP FERRAT (HKG)
Galloped on the turf at Sha Tin under his work rider, clocking 1m 19.2s (29.8, 27.7, 22.4) over 1200m.
FWD Champions Mile
GAIA FORCE (JPN)
Gaia Force worked easily on the all-weather track, clocking 34.2s and 31.6s over 400m before he schooled at the paddock with stablemate Lugal.
Stable representative Daisuke Hiraiwa said: “Both horses were calm and everything is going smoothly. He was relaxed and there seemed to have no issue at the paddock.”
MR BRIGHTSIDE (AUS)
Galloped on the turf track, clocking 57.7s (32.4s, 25.3s) over 800m.
Co-trainer Ben Hayes: “He was very good. Did a nice easy five (1000m), run home two (400m) and I think he ran home in about 25 seconds, perhaps maybe a touch under which was exactly what we wanted.”
ROYAL PATRONAGE (AUS)
Worked on the all-weather track, clocking 1m 37.5s (33.2s, 32.2s, 32.1s) over 1200m.
Stable representative Sam McLeish said: “Just cantered today and will do his fast work on Thursday.”
VOYAGE BUBBLE (HKG)
Galloped on the turf course at Sha Tin alongside stablemate Victory Sky under Matthew Poon, clocking 1m 19.2s (28.4, 27.9, 22.9).
Chairman’s Sprint Prize
DANON MCKINLEY (JPN)
Danon McKinley had an easy canter for one and a half laps on the all-weather track, clocking 30.0s over 400m.
“Although he has traveled from Dubai, he’s been able to maintain a very good condition. He’ll do a final workout on turf tomorrow (Wednesday, 23 April),” said the assistant to Hideaki Fujiwara, Kazuo Fujiwara.
LUGAL (JPN)
Lugal had an easy canter for one and a half laps on the all-weather track and he went to paddock for schooling with stablemate Gaia Force.
Stable representative Daisuke Hiraiwa said: “Both horses were calm and everything is going smoothly. The paddock schooling was also calm and went without any issues.”
SATONO REVE (JPN)
The Japanese champion sprinter in spring, Satono Reve hacked for one lap on the all-weather track before he familiarised with the surroundings at the paddock.
Work rider Ryusuke Saito said: “He’s calm and very fresh. Everything is going smoothly.”
KA YING RISING (HKG)
Galloped on the main all-weather track with champion jockey Zac Purton, clocking 24.6s.
