With few international runners for the APQEII this year, there is plenty of opportunity to spend time photographing the local horses. With an early start this morning I was able to get all the locals that line up this weekend.

Blazing Speed

The 2015 APQEII winner has been running well this season, although has not managed a win. He was just beaten late in the Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup and has run well since in the Stewards Cup. A good performance again this weekend would not surprise.

This morning he worked on the dirt track in behind his lead horse and under a tight hold  clocked 54.1s for his final 800m (28.8, 25.3). Trainer Tony Cruz said: “I would say condition-wise, fitness-wise, he is 100 percent.” A man of few words Tony, but they are at least positive!

Secret Weapon

Another who worked on the dirt, under race rider Zac Purton, he clocked 56.1s (30.2, 25.9) for 800m. He’s had a consistent season and if he ran up to his run in the Hong Kong Cup back in December, would give this a shake. A big ‘if’ though.

Designs On Rome

Bar his first start this season, he has been very plain. Perhaps all the tough runs he’s had (and there have been many) have taken their toll. He’s not been finishing his races out and looks a shadow of the horse he was as a four and five year old.

This morning he galloped on the turf in company with Booming Delight and clocked 1m 18.1s (28.1,27.7, 22.3) for the final 1200m. Trainer John Moore said: “I couldn’t  get him any fitter than he is. His best days are behind him. He’s got as big a heart as you would ever want in a horse but the age – if he could run third or fourth it would be a very good result. Anything in front of that would be a bonus.”

Werther

He’s clearly the most likely of the local horses to win this. Last years winner has looked well at the track in the mornings and his abbreviated season may benefit him here, as he comes in fresher than many of the others. If this is a sit sprint race, he’ll be mighty hard to roll.

This morning he galloped on the turf under Sam Clipperton with stable mate Leading City and clocked 1m 20.0s (28.0, 29.1, 22.9) for the final 1200m. Trainer John Moore said: “Werther’s as fit as he was last year and the interrupted start to the season has meant that we lead into this race off a perfect prep. He’s peaking at the right time and his work this morning was just what I wanted to see. He was strong through the line and strong after the line – Sam (Clipperton) said the horse didn’t want to pull up.”

Pakistan Star

The crowd favourite was another who worked on the dirt, in a group of Cruz horses that included Blazing Speed. It was easy work and he was clocked at 1m 00.4s (32.4, 28.0) for 800m. Trainer Tony Cruz said: “He’s a horse that is still maturing, his last trial was good and he seems to have come on again. I think he is as fit as ever.”

In the small field he’s likely (hopefully) to be sitting closer to the leading group as they turn, and if this eventuates expect him to give this a real shake. Sha Tin and Twitter will be loud if he can pull this off!

Dicton

The French raider cantered a lap of the dirt, before making his way to the turf track for some slightly more strenuous exercise. With the big screen broadcasting the work outs, he became startled at his own image. However he eventually settled and continued on his way.

He clocked 1m 27.4s (30.2, 31.2, 26.0) for the final 1200m of his turf gallop. Rupert Pritchard-Gordon, owner Robert Ng’s racing manager, said: “He’s fit and well and that’s all he needs. He had a strong 1800 metres gallop at Maisons-Laffitte last Wednesday before he flew out.

“The horse is in good order and we’re hopeful. We felt this race was the right option with the (Champions) Mile likely to be a bit quick for him. The trip here has been on the radar since last October. He’s versatile, you can ride him where you like and he’s a horse who’s kept on improving. He does like soft ground as he can quicken better than most under those conditions but better ground’s not a concern.”

Neorealism

He worked the turf in the rain under race rider Joao Moreira. The striking chestnut looked at home and really did not exert himself as he breezed 800m in 56.8s (33.2, 23.6). Moreira said: “I’m happy with the horse, he’s well, he’s free and he’s ready to go there and rock ‘n roll. He gave me a really good impression and he should be fitter by Sunday. He has a big chance.”

He’s likely to get an easy lead on Sunday and could be very hard to run down if the others let him alone for too long.

Trainer Noriyuki Hori  said: “Compared to last year’s experience coming here, the travel was very smooth. I saw the horse for the first time here this morning, he is very settled and he appears to be in good form. I was trying to decide whether to gallop him today or tomorrow but I opted to gallop him today because there was a bit of cushion in the track due to the rain. I also wanted Joao to have some contact with the horse, to get a feel for him before the race. Everything has gone well so far.”

 

As always thanks to the Jockey Club team for jockey and trainer quotes along with work times.