FWD QEII Cup
CALIF (BHR)
Calif completed an easy lap of the all-weather track, stretching out nicely in the home straight, clocking 1m 29.9s (31.0, 30.3, 28.6) over 1200m.
EL VENCEDOR (NZ)
Worked on the all-weather track.
Trainer Stephen Marsh said: “It was just quiet work and he was just on the bridle nice and relaxed and happy.
“He’ll gallop tomorrow and Zac (Purton) will come and ride him on the turf and that will be his final hit-out.
“We will probably work him in from the 1400m, just steady and let him breeze-up the last 600m. But nothing too much, it’s just maintenance work. He is fit and he is well.”
GOLIATH (FR)
As he has done for the last two days, last year’s King George VI and Elizabeth Stakes winner completed an easy lap of the all-weather track, clocking 1m 25.7s (29.5, 29.6, 26.6) over 1200m.
Travelling head lad Anthony David: “Everything is good.”
LIBERTY ISLAND (JPN)
Liberty Island galloped on the turf, clocking 51.2s (30.0, 21.2) over 800m.
Assistant to Mitsumasa Nakauchida, Yuya Katayama said: “Since she’s coming off a trip from Dubai, we had only been doing light training until now. But today, we pushed her a bit in the final furlong. From the weekend through today, her movement and feel on the turf have improved. She understands this turf course well.”
PROGNOSIS (JPN)
Prognosis galloped on the turf, clocking 51.5s (30.3, 21.2) over 800m.
Assistant to Mitsumasa Nakauchida, Yasuhisa Kiyoyama said: “We were able to complete the scheduled gallop as planned. His movement remains solid, and now we just hope he heads into the race safely.”
TASTIERA (JPN)
Tastiera hacked for 1000m, jogged for 400m and hacked for another 1400m on the dirt before going to the paddock for familiarisation.
Work rider Tomohiro Takahashi said: “Compared to yesterday, his mood, willingness to go forward, and footwork were all improved, so we extended the distance to work.”
FWD Champions Mile
GOEMON (BHR)
The Bahraini star enjoyed an easy canter on the all-weather track under the watchful eye of his trainer Haider Shaheen, clocking 31.2s over 400m.
The trainer said: “We’re happy with him. Today we just gave him a canter. We haven’t decided when he’ll go on the turf yet, but we’ll see.”
GAIA FORCE (JPN)
Gaia Force galloped on turf today, clocking 1m 19.6s (29.3, 28.0, 22.3) over 1200m.
Trainer Haruki Sugiyama said: “He was a bit unsettled by the new environment at first and lost some body weight, but Lugal, who is making his second overseas trip, has been by his side since staying export quarantine barn. That has created a good environment for Gaia Force’s first international outing.
He had his final serious workout at home last Monday, so today was kept easy, with the jockey just holding him through the stretch without urging. Although he spooked slightly at the grandstand at the end, the jockey corrected with the bit and managed to apply just the right amount of pressure.
The 1600m distance is ideal, and since he’s recently been slow out of the gate, that will be a key point this time. He prefers races with one-turn and the 1600m one-turn layout is a perfect match for him.”
MR BRIGHTSIDE (AUS)
Track rider Ross Wishart said the gelding had pulled up well after yesterday’s gallop on the course proper.
“He felt very good. He was relaxed and is fit and well.”
ROYAL PATRONAGE (AUS)
Was restricted to work in the quarantine stables.
Chairman’s Sprint Prize
A SHIN FENCER (JPN)
A Shin Fencer galloped on the turf, clocking 55.8s (31.3, 24.5) over 800m.
Trainer Keiji Yoshimura said: “For today’s gallop, since it hasn’t been long since her last race in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen, and considering she’s a mare and had already breezed at Ritto, I asked the rider not to push too hard. The feel through the reins and her response were reportedly very good. She’s been easy to handle since her two-year-old days, straightforward, and eats well—and based on all of that, the decision was made to take her overseas. The horse is calm and there are no concerns. The draw will be quite important, as her running style isn’t to come from far behind, and this race typically doesn’t favor closers, so a clean break will be crucial. Now she is five and she’s shown real growth and is in peak condition.”
DANON MCKINLEY (JPN)
Danon McKinley galloped on turf, clocking 21.4s over 400m.
Stable representative Kazuo Fujiwara said: “He had a great grip on the turf and moved exceptionally well. Everything is going smoothly.”
LUGAL (JPN)
Lugal galloped on turf today, clocking 1m 23.1s (30.6, 29.5, 23.0) over 1200m.
Trainer Haruki Sugiyama said: “This is his second overseas trip to Hong Kong, and he’s clearly more accustomed to it this time around. In today’s workout, he was able to apply proper pressure over the final two furlongs, so the gallop went exactly as planned.
“In December, he wasn’t at his peak on race day, but this time he’s showing clear signs of improvement—his appetite is good, and he hasn’t lost any weight after trip to Hong Kong. The 1200m distance suits him, and having already raced at Sha Tin once before, there’s a lot to look forward to.”
SATONO REVE (JPN)
Satono Reve did a full circuit of hacking on the dirt and had paddock schooling.
Work rider Ryusuke Saito said: “He’s showing more cohesion than yesterday and is progressing well. We’ve been adjusting with a focus on balancing his mental and physical condition. He’s full of energy.”
