As is usual for a Thursday here before a big meeting, it was pretty busy out at the track this morning. Too many horses to capture in one post, so I will be catching up with a few of todays in tomorrow post.

Persian Knight

This guy continues to impress, not only with his stunning good looks, but his gallop today was also very nice. He comes up against a formidable hometown opponent in Beauty Generation, but a good run in the Mile Championship at home last time, were he finished second to Stelvio, indicates that he is in form.

Today he galloped 1200m over the turf course and clocked 1m 25.6s (34.0, 29.3, 22.3).Trainer Yasutoshi Ikee said: “He moved nicely to remain active while he was galloping.  I think he goes into the race a fit horse.  He has a great mode and is very settled.”

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Mr Stunning

Last years HKIR Sprint winner comes into this years race having had a change of stable – moving from John Size to Frankie Lor. You wouldn’t consider a move away from the Size stable a positive, however Lor had a tremendous first season out on his own.  Mr Stunning comes into this off two good runs this season, placing both time at G2 and G3 level, both times behind Hot King Prawn. 

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He looked really well in his gallop on the dirt track this morning and I think we can expect a bold showing. Karis Teetan rides from a widish gate – barrier 9.

Time Warp

Last years Cup winner is looking to become only the second horse to go back-to-back in the race (previously done by California Memory in 2011/2012). He’s had some mixed form since, and seems to really only be at his best when he gets a lead on his own. Whether this scenario plays out is doubtful as his full brother, Glorious Forever, is of the same ilk. They cut each other up with a crazy pace three weeks ago in the Jockey Club Cup, where neither were able to run a place

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He certainly looks well and gets his chance here if things go his way, as this is not the strongest Cup. Trainer Tony Cruz commented yesterday “I’m happy with all of my horses, they’re all fit and we’ll just see what happens at the draw on Thursday.”  The draw didn’t go exactly to plan as Time Warp has drawn 7 of 9.

Glorious Forever

It’s not often you get to see full brothers run against one another in a G1 race, let alone where there is a small pool of horses like there is in Hong Kong. However both have made it here, Time Warp with two G1 victories on the board and Glorious Forever the younger sibling yet to taste victory at the highest level. This race seems to have come rather quickly for Glorious Forever, but I was saying the same about Time Warp last year.

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A win in this would genuinely surprise, but given his rising rating here, there are not many other options available to him.

Little Giant

He has had feet issues since arriving in Hong Kong, but the highly-talented galloper was unbeaten in two NZ starts before export. He’s had three wins from five well-spaced runs in here, over the past three seasons. Little Giant returned with a brilliant course and distance Class 2 win on 1 October before arguably being beaten by a wide draw when a neck 3rd to Rattan in a strong Class 1 Panasonic Cup (1400m) at his latest outing. This is a tough test, but he does look an untapped talent. Likely settled midfield or back and has  won on good and yielding ground.

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He worked on the all-weather track this morning, covering 1200m in 1m 26.4s (33.5, 28.1, 24.8). Jockey Zac Purton said: “It was just an easy piece for him this morning. He’s coming back to 1200 (metres) from 1400. He’s probably the fittest he’s ever been in his time in Hong Kong so hopefully that’s a good thing.”

Mirage Dancer

Trainer Sir Michael Stoute took the Vase in 2000 with Daliapour and has this year engaged the progressive four-year-old Mirage Dancer. He’s a lightly-raced, consistent stayer who was 0.5L 2nd to subsequent Caulfield Cup winner Best Solution in a G2 at 2400m, before 3.5L win over Red Verdon in G3 Glorious Stakes (2398m) at Goodwood on 3 August. He was then a short-head 2nd to Young Rascal in a Newbury G3 over 2200m at his latest start.

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He took to the turf today with Sunday’s jockey Ryan Moore on board and looked in good shape as he had a nice breeze down the home straight, covering 800m in 54.8s (30.4, 24.4). Sir Michael Stoute’s assistant Sarah Deniff said: “This morning Ryan Moore was very happy with him and I am too, everything is good and we’ll hope for a nice draw later.” Unfortunately the wish for a good gate was not fulfilled as he drew marble 13 of 14.

Rostropovich

This well travelled young horse comes here off a solid Melbourne Cup effort where he was fifth, with Vase jockey Wayne Lordan on board. He’s had an understandably quiet time of it here since arriving.

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He made his first appearance on the turf track this week, and worked with his big race jockey Wayne Lordan in the irons. Lordan said: “I’m happy with  that. He seems very well and in good heart. He’s been running well, and he’s maturing with experience.”

Thanks to the HKJC content team for quotes from connections