Sha Tin trackwork Monday
05 Dec 2011 | Hong Kong Jockey Club
(As it's a press release it's okay to post in its entirity).
CXHKIR 2011 trackwork notes, 5 December 2011 – Contenders from Japan, Singapore, UK, France and UAE
Patrick Shaw, trainer, Rocket Man (Sprint)
Singapore's champion sprinter and G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen and G1 KrisFlyer International Sprint winner Rocket Man was on his toes at Sha Tin on Monday morning, while trainer Patrick Shaw watched from the stands as his charge put in a slow canter on the all weather track.
Shaw admits there is a little bit of unfinished business at Sha Tin after Rocket Man’s narrowest of defeats to J J The Jet Plane in last year’s CXHK Sprint.
“He's travelled well, settled in well, and he’s eating well. He’s been in good form of late. I would say that the trip to Japan took a bit out of him. The travel and the quarantine can be difficult, and he wasn’t at his best racing weight that day.
“He'll do some stronger work later in the week. It looks a similar race to last year, some of the same horses and of course the Japanese sprinters again, but I hope he can set the record straight.
“He'll have a different jockey this year, but Barend (Vorster) knows him well, has ridden him before in races and regularly at work, so that’s not a concern.”
Ryuji Iwamoto, assistant trainer, Curren Chan (Sprint)
Ryuji Iwamoto commented, “The trip from Japan was not smooth. It was a long journey. Curren Chan is a filly, but she has relaxed since she arrived and seems to be used to her new surroundings. She has a very good appetite.”
Also, the racing manager (interpreter), Keita Tanaka said, “Due to the quarantine conditions, she could not get out of the horse stall during the engine trouble (at the airport). I have been involved in this job for six years, and this was the worst trouble for a horse trip, but I am happy that she has relaxed here now and had a leisurely canter on the all-weather today. The Hong Kong Sprint is the toughest race in the world, but she won multiple graded stakes in the past and is a very capable filly.”
Hideo Shiimoto, assistant trainer, Apapane (Mile)
“We were looking forward to the opportunity to come here to Hong Kong. We have been targeting this race after her last race (G1-Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup). We had engine trouble when she flew in, and she was stuck in the horse stall for 15 hours at the airport. So the journey was not good, but since she arrived at Sha Tin she has maintained her good form, did not lose any weight from the long journey and today she cantered easily. I think that a mile is the best distance for her. This is a big challenge for her to compete against horses and geldings in the G1 race, but we are confident.”
Thomas Burns, travelling head lad, Campanologist (Vase)
“He's really a perfect traveller, you couldn't get a better one. He's been pleasing every day and has thrived since he arrived. Yesterday he put on 4 kilos. Today he's done a five-furlong steady canter and an eight-furlong normal canter.”
Robin Trevor-Jones, travelling head lad, Red Cadeaux (Vase)
“Everything has gone fine since Melbourne and he's at his racing weight. He has just been tootling along, but we'll probably give him a blow on Wednesday or Thursday. That will be decided when the boss (Ed Dunlop) arrives.”
Jean-Michel Roux, travelling head lad, Vadamar (Vase)
“He has really travelled well and looked surprisingly good this morning for his first stroll on the Sha Tin all weather. He hasn’t run since his win in the Prix du Conseil de Paris (G2) but he has worked quite a bit for this trip and it has benefited him because he tends to eat too much. He should be working on the turf on Thursday when the boss is here.”
Regis Barbedette, travelling head lad, Rajsaman (Mile) and Silver Pond (Vase)
“Their last race was quite some time ago as they ran at the Arc meeting, on the first weekend in October. But they’ve been to Saint Cloud racecourse for a public gallop since then and they have thrived on that. The travelling went fine as we were all on time. Rajsaman is probably even better than last year when he came over and did very well in the Mile (4th to Beauty Flash). As for Silver Pond, he only joined our yard on the eve of his 8th place in the Arc. He looks good but it is his first long trip and we will learn a lot from that. Both should work on the turf on Thursday.”
Aymeric Candas, travelling head lad, Dunaden (Vase)
“He settled well here and has the advantage of being in Hong Kong for a good week as he came straight from Australia. He did not do much this morning because he will work over the turf tomorrow. Everything’s going according to plan so far.”
Jean-Jacques Poincelet, assistant trainer, Cirrus des Aigles (Cup)
“It is his third trip here and it seems to me that he is still changing. He’s a bit burlier than last year I think. He’s done his usual thing and should work on Thursday.”
Joel Segouin, travelling lad, Sahpresa (Mile)
“She’s only cantered on the all weather over 5 furlongs, nothing special really. I led her aboard her new companion horse, who helps her relax during her travels. We felt the difference in Japan. She settles well now. I like the way she galloped today with Vincent Vion up. We have an edge as we have been here for a longer time and she has had plenty of time to make the place her home.”
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