There were a few dusty heads at Sha Tin this morning, after a wet night at Happy Valley meant people didn’t venture too far from the bar. However the horses were in fine sprits. I did manage to see one Hong Kong horse gallop this morning – Able Friend. He clocked 53.4s (27.8, 25.6) for 800m under Joao Moreira

He certainly looked well and trainer John Moore is pleased with his condition.”That was just to keep him turning over – all he needed was a freshen up after his race in the mile a couple of weeks back and he’s there now, he’s cherry ripe. Joao had a big smile on his face when he came back.”

Flintshire is out to defend his title in the Vase and looks well prepared to do just that. He was asked to do no more than a routine canter, increasing the pace over the final 400m,- and looked in good order under his rider’s hold. Richard Lambert, travelling head lad to trainer Andre Fabre, said: “That was all we wanted, everything is good.” Fabre is expected to be at the track on Friday morning.

Hong Kong regular Cirrus Des Aigles also hit the turf today and again was not asked to do too much. The old boy looks well enough, but he is winless in five previous visits to Hong Kong. Trainer Corine Barande-Barbe said: “We went on the turf today because of the rain yesterday. Nothing too serious but he moved nicely. There were a lot of press around and he noticed them noticing him!”

Satono Aladdin was asked for a good effort in his work today and impressed. He galloped 1200m on turf course in 1m 24.2s (31.8, 29.0, 23.4).
Trainer Yasutoshi Ikee said: “It is not long since his last race (in the G1 Mile Championship), so we did not ask him to do a brisk gallop today.  I think everything including transportation has gone well, and his condition is coming back to the same as last time.” One of the better efforts of the morning.

There are big expectations on Maurice. He was a dominant winner last start in the Mile Championship and is expected to take it right up to Able Friend. He’s been warm and perspiring freely in his work all week, whether that is the norm or not I don’t know. Masanori Watanabe, the assistant trainer, said: “He cantered nicely.  The only concern with him is that he is tense.  He is a bit nervous with the new surroundings, but other than that things have gone smoothly up to now.”

A Shin Hikari looks a strong contender in the Cup and is expected to bring pace into the race. Now he’s drawn wide it will be all the more interesting. He galloped 1200m on turf course under jockey Yutaka Take in 1m 28s (32.4, 31.3, 24.3).Take said: “He sometimes has an issue with his temperament and it is new for him to gallop on turf.  But I think he is in good condition and looks well.  Hopefully he will be settled on race day.”

Cannock Chase has won his last two starts, most recently the Canadian International over 2400m. He’s won five of his ten starts, although three of those were among his first four, in lower grade. He also worked on the grass over 800m in 54.8 (31.0, 23.8). Travelling head lad James Savage said: “He came to Hong Kong freshened up with this race in mind. But this will be his hardest race to date and you have to really respect rivals like Flintshire and Highland Reel.”

Some interesting workers today, the best of which were Able Friend, Flintshire and Satono Aladdin.