Race time is getting close, all the hard work for the horses is done. They’re now just ticking over to ensure they’re relaxed and focused going into the big day on Sunday. Even those galloping on the grass were not asked to do too much, more just a stretch of the legs.

Lucia Valentina had a gallop on the turf, working 1200m in 1m 34.1s (33.9, 34.4, 25.8). Assistant Trainer Mal Ollerton said: “She’s had a really good week here and done well. I think she feels as good as she did in Melbourne and, if anything, I’d say she looks a little bit better.”

Both Criterion and Preferment worked on the dirt, with Criterion running 1400m in 14’s. Preferment cantered a couple of laps and was not asked for an effort. Criterion’s trainer David Hayes’ greatest worry is his wide barrier draw and instructed jockey Craig Williams to ‘practice getting in’.

Free Eagle appeared on the grass for the first time and only cantered a lap under the watchful eye of trainer Dermott Weld. The horse looks in good order and ready to run a big race. The one to beat in the Cup for me.

Maurice has been the centre of plenty of speculation during the week. There seem to be questions about how well he has settled into Sha Tin, certainly early in the week he was sweating freely in his work, but does appear to have relaxed somewhat. He cantered 1200m then galloped home under Ryan Moore who said “We have only two days left until Sunday, so I did not ask him much, but he had a very good response and looks well indeed.”

Sole Power was another who worked on the turf over 800m in 53.9s (31.4, 22.5). He is a keen working horse, although nothing too extravagant. He certainly looks in good order and happy in himself. Trainer Ed Lynam said: “Trained well. He was enthusiastic. Just did enough to take the freshness off. He’s a bit fresh himself. Very happy with him. They say it (post position number 8) is a very lucky number over here, so we’ll go with that.”

I missed the work of Mondialiste, however he did pose for the crowd afterwards. He worked 400m in 33.1s. Trainer David O’Meara said: “He just did light work. He’s just following the same pattern as Canada (won Woodbine Mile) and Keeneland (2nd in Breeders’ Cup Mile). These races around the bend seem to suit him and we’ve gotten to know the horse a bit better. At the moment he’s been running well over a mile but there is every chance we will step him up in trip in due course. He’s bred to stay further. Depending on how this goes, he could go to the Dubai Turf (on World Cup Night). He can run well fresh. We’ll take it one step at a time.”

Dariyan worked the dirt, and was not asked for an effort. The up and comer is an interesting runner here and no doubt the experience will do him a world of good. Trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre said: “He’s a three-year-old but he has improved all season. He looks very well and he has a good turn of foot. Soumillon knows this place and if he has a clear run he will be competitive. He has more speed than his dam (Daryakana, the 2009 Vase winner) because he is by Shamardal. I think this is a nice track for him because he likes a flat track. He’s drawn six and it’s very important for him to be drawn in the middle, because if he does not have the speed at the beginning he can wait. He was one length second in a Group 2 at Deauville behind the French Derby winner, New Bay, who was third in the Arc, so his form is top level.”

Fiero was another who worked on the dirt and was not asked to do a great deal. He will be looking to improve on last years effort in the Mile, where he finished sixth. The assistant trainer Kazuo Fujiwara said: “His last race was only at the end of November and we have not had so long since, which is the same as last year.  We have figured out how tough it was for him, but what we have learned from last year helped us a lot. We hope to perk him up even more for Sunday.”

This morning I like the look of Free Eagle and Sole Power. Both looked and worked well, with Sole Power required to do a bit more.

 

Once again thanks to the Jockey Club for times and trainer quotes.