Ivictory/D B Pin/Nothingilikemore
The trio of John Size trained horses worked early this morning. All have a point to prove one way or another this weekend.
Ivictory won the Chairmans Sprint Prize last season and was good on his seasonal debut this time around, however two subsequent runs have been disappointing.
D B Pin was second to Mr Stunning in this race last year, then went on to win the Centenary Sprint at G1 level. He subsequently sustained a tendon injury and missed the rest of the season. He made his return on Jockey Club day three weeks ago, and was in need of the run.
This time last year Nothingilikemore was being spruiked as a likely classic contender. He won the Classic Mile, but didn’t get the trip in later Classic races. He returned this season in the Oriental Watch Sha Tin trophy, putting in a poor showing finishing mid pack.
Fine Needle
The dual G1 winner from Japan makes his second visit to Hong Kong. He finished forth in the Chairmans Sprint in April, where he was closing quickly. He’ll need to run better than that to turn the tables on the local sprint team. however he’s looking comfortable in his surroundings at Sha Tin.
He cantered easily for one and a half laps on the all-weather track this morning. Work rider Yoshinori Unoki said: “He has settled in well and has maintained good condition. Tomorrow, jockey Yuga Kawada will gallop him and I hope he will be more ready, mentally, after that drill.”
Mirage Dancer
The Sir Michael Stoute trained Mirage Dancer is a late-maturing galloper with a G1pedigree. He’s G2-placed and was a commanding winner of G3 Glorious Stakes at Goodwood in August, beating fellow Vase contender Red Verdon. He can run on pace or lead and is effective on all ground.
He took to the turf on this morning and stretched his legs for a circuit in 1m 32.1s (31.8, 31.0, 29.3), increasing the tempo slightly in the straight, without being asked to do too much. He followed that with schooling in the paddock
Assistant Sarah Denniff said: “I was very happy with that, he was nice and relaxed, and everything is good with him. The plan is for Ryan Moore to breeze him on the turf tomorrow.
Prince Of Arran
Prince Of Arron arrives in hong kong coming off two cracking runs in Melbourne. Firstly he won the Lexus Stakes to qualify for the Melbourne Cup, then backing up three days later he finished a good third in the big one. Several horse have come here off the Melbourne Cup and run well in the past – Vase winners Dunaden and Red Cadeaux.
Salouen
I don’t think I’ve seen many horses with a more unattractive gait than this one. However it hasn’t stopped him showing some very good form this season. He almost caused a shock when a head second to Cracksman in the G1 Coronation Cup in June, when de Sousa failed to snip Dettori as he made for the rails run. This was followed by an eye-catching sixth in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. He can race on speed or lead and has no concerns in any ground.
Today he continued his preparation with a canter on the all-weather track under work rider Shaun Graham. Former UK trainer Philip Mitchell, representing trainer Sylvester Kirk, said: “He’s in absolutely cracking form. He’s still got a summer sheen on his coat and he looks bigger and stronger than ever. We just need a bit of luck with the draw and in the race.
“He certainly didn’t have any luck when sixth in the Arc last time and both the trainer and I believe he could have been fourth. Let’s just say that he had his mind on other things with the filly (Enable) in the next stall, and, instead of being fast away, he lost three or four lengths at the gate. There was no Plan B but he was closing fast late on, only to get hampered.”
Thanks to the HKJC team for quotes from connections.