Yeah, I check that site daily. Trackwork video should be up soon but for now... trackwork notes.
Appreciate your thoughts on the Sprint.
Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Races 2006
Tracknotes - Monday, December 4
The international challengers were out in numbers on the all weather track at Sha Tin on a sunny Monday morning ahead of next Sunday's HK$62million Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Races extravaganza.
Amongst the first out on the track was the Ed Dunlop-trained Ouija Board, who makes her final racecourse appearance in the Vase, and is seeking to add an eighth Gr.1 victory. She put in no more than a routine canter under her regular rider Jason Tate, but looked to be in great shape as usual, despite her arduous 2006 campaign.
Robin Trevor-Jones, Ed Dunlop's assistant, who has been with her every step of the way, reported her in good form after her courageous third place finish to Japanese champion Deep Impact in the Japan Cup just eight days ago. "She's travelled well from Japan, and seems to have come out of that race well. She's where we want her, and I'm happy with everything here. What more can you say about her - she's just amazing."
The highly regarded European mare, the Alain de Royer-Dupre trained Pride, who has also enjoyed a great season in Europe with Gr.1 victories in the Grand Prix de Paris over Hurricane Run and the Champion Stakes at Newmarket, as well as finishing runner up in the Arc ahead of Deep Impact, was also out on the all weather track. She put in a solid canter and looked very well, although showing signs of starting to grow her winter coat, just as she did last year when runner up in the CXHK Cup, the race in which she attempts to go one better in this year.
Cup rival Admire Moon, one of Japan's best three-year-olds this season, cantered quietly on the dirt to the satisfaction of head lad, Tsuyoshi Matsuda. "He had no problem with his first time flight and he is very relaxed. It's a good sign for him," he said.
Another European horse to catch the eye was the Aidan O'Brien-trained Scorpion (CXHK Vase) who comes to Hong Kong following his fifth place finish in the Breeders' Cup Turf, in what was only his second start of the season following a long lay off through injury. Scorpion moved well in a steady canter on the all weather track, and travelling head lad Pat Keating reported everything was well with his charge. "He's travelled well, and he's settled well here. He was maybe a little fresh in his last race, and he can come on again from that run here," Keating said.
Just one of Japan's Vase hopes, Admire Main, came onto the dirt under his regular exercise rider Yuta Komiyama, who later said: "He is full of energy, he is in great form. He travelled over smoothly and is eating up well. No problems at all."
Both the Aga Khan's runners in the Vase –Kastoria, trained in Ireland by John Oxx, and Shamdala, the care of Alain de Royer-Dupre in France – pleased connections with a light limber on the dirt. Rival runners Collier Hill (Alan Swinbank, Britain) and Egerton (Peter Rau, Germany) also performed low-tempo canters with the work schedule set to increase later in the week.
CXHK Mile favourite Armada is "doing everything right" according to jockey Douglas Whyte. Asked whether there were any chinks in the armour of Armada who boasts seven wins from eight starts, Whyte replied with a terse "not really."
"Track conditions, barrier draw, nothing really matters with this horse. He makes his own luck and I'm very happy to be on him...and I can tell you I am fired up to win one of these big races," he added.
The CXHK Mile challenger from the USA, the Richard Dutrow-trained Rebel Rebel was on his toes as he put in a regulation canter on the all weather, looking in great physical shape ahead of Sunday's challenge.
Just flown in from Italy, Ramonti cantered on the all-weather under Endo Botti, his jockey in the CXHK Mile.
"He worked at Pisa Racecourse before we came out here and we are happy with how he has travelled and settled in. We will go easily with him until Friday when he works a bit stronger on the turf," said co-trainer Giuseppe Botti.
The Ramonti camp was interested in which of the local horses may end up taking on their front-running star on Sunday with Sir Ernesto's trainer Derek Cruz keen to lead if the Italian wishes to hand up. Floral Pegasus and The Duke are others with potential to lead or at least race to the fore.
Cruz said Sir Ernesto would gallop on Tuesday morning as he finalizes his big-race preparation.
Star Australian sprinter Takeover Target worked steadily on the all-weather track under the watchful eye of his trainer Joe Janiak sporting his 'Queanbeyan Conqueror' cap - a reference to his hometown just outside Canberra.
"I'm pleased with him. He's done very well since we've been in Hong Kong. He wasn't quite right when we had him in England, in fact he looked shocking, didn't really acclimatise... but he blossomed in Japan and he's looking good here," Janiak said.
Takeover Target will have his final serious gallop on Wednesday morning, on the course proper, with jockey Jay Ford aboard. "One more good hit-out is all he needs," Janiak said of the horse who was bought for just $Aus1250 at a mixed bloodstock sale in 2003 and has now earned more than $Aus3.5 million. Ford arrives in Hong Kong on Tuesday night.
Desert Lord was seen out on the all-weather track for the first time at Sha Tin today under his regular work rider, John Murray, who was has been very impressed with the way he has taken his trip and bullish about his charge's prospects in the CXHK Sprint.
"He seems to travel well and fights that bit harder when he's abroad. That was the best I've felt him today, " said Murray.
Murray added: "He'll do a zip with our stable jockey Neil Callan aboard on Thursday or Friday when the trainer [Kevin Ryan] has arrived. This horse has tremendous speed and he will love this sharp track and the fast ground. He really operates on it. I hope we get a draw between one and six, otherwise it could be curtains."
Britain's other two contenders for the sprint, Benbaun, who was sixth in the race last year and Red Clubs, who is owned by Ronald Arculli, former Chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, were confined to the trotting ring today.
The top Japanese sprinter Meisho Bowler cantered easily in the trotting ring under trainer Toshiaki Shirai's son, Katsuya, and did not show up on the all-weather course. "He was a little nervous when he arrived here, but his form is getting better and eating up well," Shirai Jr. said.
The other Japanese sprinter She is Tosho performed easy work in the trotting ring before she cantered on the all-weather track for one lap.
CXHKCup contender Growl also had a comfortable workout on the all weather and "felt good" according to track rider Cathy Payne. Growl has his final run for David Hayes in the Cup and will remain in Hong Kong with Almond Lee.
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More arrival shots.....
http://www.hkjc.com/english/corporat...6120314693.htm