All the Japanese runners for the weekend had a gallop on the turf track this morning, with Australia’s Viddora again confined to the dirt. She seems to be out of her normal training pattern here, which is a little concerning if you’re one of her supporters. Her turf gallop yesterday was called off and she really only wandered around the dirt. She was a little more active today, but still pretty quiet.

Lys Gracieux

This filly continues to do well, looking great both mornings I’ve seen her. She brings a strong form line into this, having finished 2nd to Danon Premium in the Kinko Sho (2000m) last start. While the local challenge is strong that is pretty good form for this.

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She clocked 48s (26.6, 21.4) for her 800 gallop. Trainer Yoshito Yahagi said: “I asked the rider to keep her in a rhythm and comfortable while she was working today. This second time trip to Hong Kong has been the biggest factor for her, I was a bit worried about the journey from Japan by herself but she travelled over well and has settled into the surroundings here quickly.  Just after she ran second in the Hong Kong Vase last December, we decided to bring her again for this race so this has been the plan. I think the 2000 metres is more suitable for her than 2400 metres. She raced from the back in the Vase but this time a more forward position would be better. She will be very competitive.”

Deirdre

This filly was sound in Dubai, running 4th in the Dubai Turf behind compatriots Almond Eye and Vivlos. I’m not normally that keen on horses who come here off that meet, but there is nothing to suggest that Deirdre has taken harm form her trip there.

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She worked the turf under race rider Yutaka Take this morning galloping 800m in 46.5s (25.5, 20.9). Trainer Mitsuru Hashida said: “She was initially a bit nervous with the hot weather and humidity when she flew in, but she has settled into it. I asked Take to drive her stronger towards the end of the gallop. She moved very nicely and finished her gallop with very good speed.  She’s in good condition. Stretching out to 2000m will be to her advantage.  She has already collected silver and bronze medals, so hopefully she can grab the gold one this time.”
  
Jockey Yutaka Take said: “It was my first ride on Deirdre this morning. She is really easy to ride, she has settled in well and is in good condition. She moved nicely and had a solid, fast workout and I am looking forward to racing on Sunday. She really likes travelling, she is a proven shipper and has not had any travel sickness from Dubai. Since the field is very strong, including the high-class Japanese runners, to win the race she needs to step up on what she’s done before. The 2000 metres should be more suitable for her compared to 1800 metres.”

Mac Venus

Mac Venus boasts 7 wins from 32 career starts, but is yet to succeed at the highest level. She won two of her eight runs in 2018, including a first Group race success in the G3 Keeneland Cup (1200m) at Sapporo in August. A runner-up to Mozu Superflare in her first two runs of 2019, both at 1200m at Nakayama (right handed). Second of those was sound effort in the G3 Ocean Stakes. Then there was tough run, pushing forward out wide, and faded late for 14th in the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m) at Chukyo (left handed) latest. She was not disgraced behind Fine Needle at two previous G1 runs. An on speed mare, she has performed on all surfaces. This does look a tall order for her.

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She worked on the turf and clocked 54.6s (30.6, 24.0) through 800m under exercise rider Hirokimi Tamogi. Tamogi said: “I did not ask her too much this morning because I wanted to save her energy.  It was an unfamiliar track for her, which made her a bit eager to grab hold of the track.  But she felt good today.  She is in good form and has been the same as how she is at home.”

Win Bright

The good looking grey was another to hit the turf this morning, and clocked 1m 16.5s (28.5, 26.3, 21.7) for 1200m. Jockey Masami Matsuoka said: “He has not done too much during the export quarantine period since he left Japan, so I took him for a steady gallop today. My only concern was to keep his rhythm during the work and he moved nicely. It was good work today.”

He is a horse in form and should be competitive on the weekend.

Viddora

She cantered on the all-weather track under big-race jockey Joe Bowditch.
Trainer Lloyd Kennewell said: “She’s well. It’s good to be here and to have a horse good enough to compete on this stage.  She’s been on tour, coming from Dubai, and settled in really well. We’re lucky she handles all sort of conditions and she’s pretty good. She’s been all around Australia and done it pretty comfortably and she likes spending one on one time and she’s had Paddy Bell looking after her here.

“I think her form is pretty good. Her run the other night in Dubai was terrific. It was a top class race. Blue Point is obviously one of the best sprinters in the world and the Americans, who ran second and third, are always hard to beat there. She beat the rest quite comfortably and she’s better around the turn and on a firmer track.

“Santa Ana Lane? We have beaten him in a Group 1 so that’s one good thing we have up our sleeve. He’s gone to another level that horse, of course, and if he’s travelled well and settled in well, and races to where he’s up to at the moment he’s going to be hard to beat.  We’re confident about our mare and what she can do and we’re looking forward to getting out there on Sunday. We intend to give her a gallop tomorrow morning.”

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This afternoon a release from the HKJC stewards revealed that she has some lameness issues:

“Dr Peter Curl, Executive Manager, Veterinary Regulation and Welfare has advised the Stewards that VIDDORA, trained by Mr Lloyd Kennewell and which is entered for the stated race, was noted to be lame in its right hind leg following trackwork this morning.

VIDDORA will continue to be closely monitored and a further release issued at the appropriate time.”

Thanks to the dedicated folks from Hong Kong Jockey Club media team for the quotes from connections.