A very quiet morning today, with only two of the visiting horses coming out onto the track. However, we did get out first look at The United States as he went a couple of laps of the turf track.

The United States

He has been restricted to the quarantine barn all week, with the stable preferring to walk him for several hours a day. He will not lack for fitness, already having had three starts at 2000m this preparation.

This morning he did two laps of the turf track, without being asked for a big effort. He did quicken in the last 400m in 23.3s. Jockey Brett Prebble, who partnered the horse in today’s gallop, said: “He gave me a great feel in his work this morning. He’s a lovely horse in top health. He seems to have travelled super and taken no ill-affect from the travel or the change of environment.”

He’s adaptable tactically, and his draw should give Prebble the chance to slot in where he is comfortable.

Dicton

He sauntered around the dirt track, before heading to the parade paddock for some schooling. There were no concerns with the vision on the big screen today, he passed that like an old pro. He was all business in the paddock as well.

Each day he has looked well, and even when he has appeared nervous to a new experience, once through it has been at ease with things.

Trainer Gianluca Bietolini said: “The horse is well and we were keen to walk him up to the saddling area. It doesn’t hurt to get the horse used to the new surroundings. We look forward now to Sunday. I felt after his last run (at 1600m) that he would be better suited over further and with a month between that run and this, I have been able to train him up for the 2000 metres at which he’s proven.”