The big day is only 48 hours away and horses have mainly completed their major preparations and are just ticking over until race time. However there were a few who galloped and caught the eye.

Neorealism has developed into a top liner  and announced himself when defeating Maurice over 2000m in August at group 2 level. Has since run in the Mile Championship where he finished third to Mikki Isle. He’s really come on during the course of the week, and is trained by a master in Noriyuki Hori. Might be better at 2000m but can give this a shake based on the gallop this morning.

Although it was a ight gallop on the turf under big-race rider Ryan Moore he clocked 55.1s (17.5, 13.4, 12.2, 12.0) for 800m and looked impressive doing it. Trainer Noriyuki Hori said: “We sent him out for a light gallop this morning. This is his first time travelling abroad, so it has taken him a bit longer to adjust to his new surroundings. Since it is just two days before the race it wasn’t a hard work, just a light tune up. We wanted Ryan to get a feel for the horse and to let the horse get used to the cheek-pieces that he will use on Sunday.”

Lucky Bubbles carries the brunt of the local hopes going into the Sprint. He will have to rise to another level again, but he appears to have that in him. After drawing well in five, he could well start favourite.

He ha an easy gallop over 800m in 53.5s (28.3, 25.2) under big-race rider Brett Prebble.
Prebble said: “He’s a happy horse and I’m happy. He’s drawn a good gate so what will be will be now. He’s put every step in the right direction for that (being considered Hong Kong’s top hope in the race). He hasn’t got many glitches on his form, he’s been a model of consistency right the way through. Every time the bar’s been raised he’s risen to it. I’ve always said I think he’s still got a step left in him and I think if he takes that step he can win. He may come up short on Sunday but it would be a nice race for him to take his next step!”

Helene Happy Star represents Hong Kong in the Vase, a race the locals traditionally struggle in. It’s been a while between wins for him and he finished fifth in this race last year. He cantered a lap of the AWT.

The French raider Garlingari is another Vase contender. He’s trained by Corine Barande-Barbe, who is a frequent visitor to these parts, mainly with cirrus Des Aigles. His form reads stronger at 2000m, although he does have one win at 2400m.

He tracked  Silverwave in an easy first contact with the Sha Tin turf track under jockey Stephane Pasquier, coming home over 1200m in 1m 25.2s (15.4, 14.8, 17.0, 14.0, 12.0, 12.0)
Pasquier said: “He went fine this morning. He is always a horse who is a little bit stiff in his slower paces but, when I woke him up a little he did it quite easily. He is a fresh horse and, while his last run wasn’t that great, he may have been losing his form a little after a busy season. That chance to freshen up should help him a bit. There are no traps in terms of where you can be drawn with Garlingari because he is a very straightforward horse to ride. In a lot of his races there has been plenty of pace on and I have been able to ride him for a finish. It is him who will decide and if they go fast we can settle in behind and hopefully finish strongly. I have to ride him on the basis that he is in the same sort of form as in the Harcourt and the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. He can accelerate and he is a fresh horse and, most importantly, he wants to do his best.”

I’ve said here before that Benzini may struggle with the class of the Vase, and connections don’t seem to be under too many illusions. He worked on the turf under big-race rider Rosie Myers; clocked 1m 22.0s (16.7, 14.0, 15.2, 12.9, 11.9, 11.3) for 1200m. Assistant trainer Harry Bull said: “We just gave him good work on turf today, but he’s in great order. We’re Kiwis and we’re up for the crack – we’ll just look for a bit of luck in the race. We got a late call for this race but the Hong Kong Jockey Club has looked after us so well, me and my family are very grateful.”

Connections are dressed in team jackets and making the most of their time at Sha Tin, and why not the hospitality is first rate.

Australian and Hong Kong race fans will do a double take when they see the name Growl competing in the Sprint. A horse with the same name competed in both countries. In fact he ran well down the track in the Hong kong Derby, when trained by Almond Lee. This Growl in a sprinter, who recently finished second on Champions Day at ascot over the 1200m trip.

He Breezed a lap of the turf track without ever being asked any serious questions by workrider Fionn McSharry. Trainer Richard Fahey said: “We’re here more in hope than confidence but Growl certainly looks really well. He’s been fitted with cheekpieces on his last two starts which have both been terrific efforts so of course he will wear them again on Sunday.”