The Hong Kong International Race program is less than a week away, and 21 of
the 28 overseas contenders emerged from the Sha Tin quarantine stables to
stretch their legs Monday morning. It was a case of gentle work on the
all-weather track for most, with only the American Little Mike and Australia’s
Linton opting to gallop on the turf.
Multiple Grade 1 victor Little Mike, bound for Sunday’s about 1 1/4-mile Hong
Kong Cup, clocked 800 meters (about a half-mile) in :53.7. After a leisurely
opening furlong in :28.3, the Dale Romans charge picked it up through his second
furlong in :25.4.
Little Mike, who scored his only win of the year in the September 28 Joe
Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational, comes off a seventh in his title defense in
the Breeders’ Cup Turf.
One of his most dangerous rivals, French star Cirrus des Aigles, turned in a
light canter on the all-weather track.
“The trip went fine and the horse is happy to go,” said Jean-Jacques
Poincelet, assistant trainer to Corine Barande-Barbe said. “He was a little bit
stiff this morning but you can’t blame an old warrior for that. It does not
really matter.”
Hoping for a breakthrough in his fifth trip to Hong Kong, Cirrus des Aigles
was just denied in the October 19 Champion Stakes at Ascot.
Japan’s Cup hope Tokei Halo likewise cantered on the all-weather track.
“This is his first time traveling abroad, so he was a little bit tired after
the journey to Hong Kong,” said Yoshiyuki Miyashita, assistant trainer to
Hisashi Shimizu. “But his condition has recovered, and he is full of beans and
cantered comfortably this morning.”
The Grade 2 winner faces a big ask off his 10th in the Tenno Sho Autumn at
Tokyo.
Hong Kong Mile threat Moonlight Cloud stretched her legs on the all-weather
track. Unbeaten in four outings in 2013, the Freddie Head mare is making her
second trip outside of Europe. Her first resulted in a forgettable eighth in the
2012 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita.
“She has only traveled this far once before, that was for the Breeders’ Cup
in California,” traveling head lad Regis Barbedette said. “That day, she was
beaten because of a bad draw and an awful race. The trip did not bother her.
“Freddie Head told us to give her a light canter over six furlongs today. She
needs to relax a bit and that is exactly what this piece of work will do.
Freddie arrives on Wednesday. We will ask for more then. The weather here is
great and the track will suit her.
“She will enjoy turning right rather than on the left hand, which she never
really liked. Our main concern in the race would be Sky Lantern. We also had a
look at the local prep race and we always watch out for local milers, as they
are very good.”
Mile contender Linton stepped out on the turf course but wasn’t asked to
break any records. He worked 1,200 meters (about six furlongs) in a very
leisurely 1:34.5, coming home the last 400 meters (quarter-mile) in :28.8 under
a tight hold from handler and regular track rider Carolyn Mason.
Successful in the Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm back in June, the John
Sadler charge was most recently eighth in the Toorak Handicap at Caulfield.
The English-based pair of The Fugue (Hong Kong Vase) and Grandeur (Cup)
arrived in Hong Kong Monday morning. Multiple Group 1 queen The Fugue was run
down late by Magician in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, while multiple Grade 2 veteran
Grandeur was knocked out of the Turf after spiking a fever.
Although The Fugue has only just settled in at Sha Tin, the John Gosden mare
is already haunting her opponents’ connections.
Defending Vase champion Red Cadeaux cantered around the all-weather track, a
light exercise that was also watched keenly from the sidelines by big-race rider
Gerald Mosse.
“He’s as fit as a flea,” said Robin Trevor-Jones, traveling head lad to
trainer Ed Dunlop. “Gerald has such a great record on him including winning this
last year, but he has never ridden him in work and we are not planning to change
that successful formula anytime soon.”
Red Cadeaux was a gallant runner-up in the November 5 Melbourne Cup last out.
“And after the amazing job Gerald did with him in Melbourne last month from
such a difficult draw,” Trevor-Jones said, “I’m not even getting too worried
about what gate he gets on Thursday!
“We want a proper gallop on Sunday, and I’m not sure where it is going to
come from, but our main problem is The Fugue and we’ve got to give her four
pounds. Without her we are the one to beat.”
Mount Athos, Simenon, Dandino and Dunaden — respectively third, fourth, fifth and 11th in the
Melbourne Cup — all tackle Red Cadeaux again in the about 1 1/2-mile Vase.
The Luca Cumani-trained Mount Athos had an easy stretch on the all-weather
after working more vigorously last Saturday morning.
“I’m very happy with him,” assistant trainer Charlie Henson said. “His work
on Saturday was very good — exactly what we wanted — and he looks to be in
good shape. He ran his last 400 meters in :22.6, and it was a similar gallop to
his work immediately before the Melbourne Cup.
“His work at Werribee before coming here was good and he’s holding his
condition in good fashion. It’s very different here compared to Werribee. So
much more to see, so much more going on but he’s settled in well.”
Mount Athos failed in the 2012 Japan Cup immediately after his very good
fifth placing in that year’s Melbourne Cup but Henson is hopeful for a more
positive back-up to Mount Athos’ Melbourne Cup third this year.
“I think the Japan Cup just came too soon for him last year and the race
didn’t unfold for him well. He broke slowly and they didn’t go that quick which
was against him. The extra couple of weeks between runs this year is more
suitable for him.”
Dandino cantered the all-weather track, and the American St Leger winner and
Caulfield Cup runner-up looked well muscled behind the saddle.
“He’s had a nice canter,” said Paul Francis, traveling head lad to trainer
Marco Botti. “I’m pleased with his coat considering how cold it was in
Melbourne, and though he’s fit he comes here fresher than last year having had
less races. The Fugue is the one to beat.”
Dunaden, who turned the Melbourne Cup/Hong Kong Vase double in 2011, had a
light canter on the all-weather. Since his unplaced performance as the 129-pound
highweight in Melbourne, the seven-year-old was a fine fifth in the November 24
Japan Cup.
“We went to Australia, then Japan, and here we are again,” said Aymeric
Candas, traveling head lad to trainer Mikel Delzangles. “The old man knows it
all and he settles well.”
Asuka Kurichan, who represents Japan in the Vase, also cantered on the
all-weather track.
“He is a very tough horse,” trainer Naosuke Sugai said of the Copa Republica
Argentina winner. “I think he handles the new surroundings and has settled well.
This morning he was too fresh because he did not come out on the track
yesterday, and he was likely to be happy to canter on the course. He will
be more relaxed tomorrow.”
Ebiyza, the lone sophomore filly in the Vase, turned in light work on the
all-weather track. Awarded the victory via disqualification in the Prix de
Royallieu two back, the Aga Khan homebred cuts back in trip off a fifth in the
marathon Prix Royal-Oak.
“She traveled perfectly, as most of the horses did, and we are quite happy
with her so far,” said Jean-Michel Roux, traveling head lad for Alain de Royer
Dupre. “She did not do much this morning and needs to find her bearings. We will
see to that now. Work is for another day.”
Japanese champion sprinter Lord Kanaloa cantered on the all-weather track
ahead of his title defense in the Hong Kong Sprint. He has taken the same path
as last year, exiting a score in the Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama.
“He traveled comfortably and has been relaxed since he arrived,” said Ryuji
Iwamoto, assistant trainer to Takayuki Yasuda. “He has no problem with the
surroundings at Sha Tin as he was here last year, too. He has a good appetite.
The team will do the best to defend the title this year again.”
Two local Sprint hopefuls recorded works — Time After Time and Go Baby Go.
Group 1-placed Time After Time, 10th in his reappearance in the Jockey Club
Sprint, covered about a half-mile in :52.4 with splits of :29.2 and :23.2.
“He galloped with Longwah Supreme this morning and he went well,” trainer
Chris So said. “Gerald reported that he felt really good, his action is sound
and he’s happy. I’ll give him one more gallop over 400 meters on Thursday, maybe
— just to give him a blow.”
Last-out Sha Tin Sprint Trophy scorer Go Baby Go toured about a half-mile on
the all-weather in :56.5 with splits of :31.0 and :25.5.
“He felt good this morning,” jockey Tye Angland said. “It wasn’t a hard
workout and he pulled up well. It was a nice little blow and he seems to be on
track at the moment.”
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