FINE NEEDLE

After a nasty fall yesterday, Tommy Berry was back at work this morning, galloping out his Chairmans Sprint mount on the Sha Tin turf. The horse looks in good order ahead of Sunday, and will need to be at his best to meet the challenge of the local team. A good gate at tomorrows barrier draw will be helpful, as he is a horse who settles just ahead of midfield.

He clocked 51.9s (29.2, 22.7) for his 800m hit out. Jockey Tommy Berry said: “He switched into gear quickly when I asked him, he felt really good and was concentrating on what he was doing. He moved nicely and was breathing well; he feels like he’s really fit and is in perfect form.  I am very much looking forward to Sunday.”

Trainer Yoshitada Takahashi said: “He had his final gallop today.  I advised Tommy Berry to drive him sharply over the last 400m without losing the horse’s rhythm, and Tommy confirmed the horse felt good.  My horse has been very settled since he arrived and he looks good, everything has gone as planned so far.  Usually he wears ear muffs in training and races, but today I asked the staff to leave them off to make him a bit sharper mentally – he won’t wear them on Sunday either. The turf track looks very well, and I heard the drainage is good, so there is no concern about the rain forecast.  I would like to draw from inside to the middle. He will stay in the trotting area tomorrow.”

AL AIN

Worked in the trotting ring and cantered around the all-weather track. Assistant trainer Shin Otose said: “Everything has gone well so far. He has been relaxed and has maintained his good form. He will gallop on the turf course tomorrow.”

This is an athletic horse, who looking at the images seems suited to the dirt, he floats across it. His gallop tomorrow will tell us a lot about where he is at.

DANBURITE

He also had an easy morning on the dirt course. Assistant trainer Shinichiro Kobayashi said: “He is still relaxed and is a happy horse.  He was not stiff after the gallop on Monday. Tommy Berry will work him on turf to get a feel of him tomorrow.”

BUE POINT

Another sprinter who will need to be on his mark to have a chance against the local bridge. He’s had a quiet time since he’s been here. Sophie Chretien, assistant to trainer Charlie Appleby, said: “Today he cantered a circuit on the dirt. It was just an easy canter. Then he schooled in the paddock. Tomorrow we’re planning to show him the grass for the first time to get him used to it, he’ll gallop over a couple of furlongs to stretch his legs. We’re very happy with him.”

I look forward to his gallop on the turf tomorrow to get a handle on him.

 

Thanks to the HKJC team for the work quotes.