HK updates, etc.

[my miss storm cat]

I'm just gonna try really hard not to knock Tony Cruz here.

SCMP.....

Friday, February 15, 2008

Mascot foot problem not a worry for Cruz


MURRAY BELL

Trainer Tony Cruz is confident that a training setback this week will not hinder Sunday's Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby Trial favourite Helene Mascot, despite a veterinary opinion that the colt was lame after working yesterday.

Helene Mascot, brilliant winner of the Group One Classic Mile on January 20 at his first Hong Kong start, has been suffering from corns on the soles of both front feet. But a particularly painful one forced Cruz to abandon the colt's gallop last Sunday.

"Helene Mascot has had these issues with both front feet since he got here, but between the vets, the farriers and ourselves we are managing them," Cruz said yesterday.

"On Sunday morning, he was quite sore in the right front foot and I would not gallop him. The corn was cut away on Monday and he's recovered well. Every day, he's been better and better."

Yesterday, it was imperative that he gallop if he was to take his place in the Group Two Derby Trial (1,800m), the middle leg of the four-year-old triple crown. Not only did he gallop, but he worked impressively with stablemate Great Guy, clocking 46.5 seconds for 800 metres on turf down the riverside, the second half in 22.4 seconds.

After the gallop, Helene Mascot was inspected by Jockey Club veterinary officer Kenneth Lam Kah-ho, who told stewards the horse was still sore in that right front foot. The horse was later attended by a club farrier.

Cruz said the troublesome foot should continue to improve, and he was confident the son of 1997 European champion Peintre Celebre will make it to Sunday's race.

Felix Coetzee will again handle Helene Mascot on Sunday. Christophe Soumillon has switched to Win Practitioner for trainer Caspar Fownes, and Canadian Emma-Jayne Wilson takes over Visionario.