There are a couple of horses I captured yesterday at local track work that I’d like to feature briefly before moving onto todays horses.

Simply Brilliant

Simply Brilliant is the best performed Frankel horse in Hong Kong to date, with a G3 win over 1800m at Happy Valley his best win. To be fair he is running for place money in the Mile, but he has talent and a minor placing could be considered.

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He worked on the all-weather track and clocked 59.3s (32.0, 27.3) through 800m, looking good doing it.

Waikuku

His lead up runs to the Derby were impressive and he was huge in the Derby itself. His subsequent run was a little indifferent and in some ways I’m surprised to see him here. However if his Derby run was any indication, he’s going to be a fine horse and hopefully he can show his best here.

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He worked on the all-weather track and clocked 57.5s (33.3, 24.2) through 800m. Trainer John Size said: “He runs better when there’s a bit of speed on or a genuine pace. He’s not up to the international Group 1 runners but someone’s got to get the rest of the prize money so I hope we can get a share of that.”

Glorious Forever

He’s not been at his best since winning the Hong Kong Cup in December, with two unplaced runs since winning his maiden G1. He does seem to need things to go his way from a pace point of view at this level, and that is unlikely to happen often.

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It’s difficult to see him winning here, but I said the same thing back in December!

Viddora

Unfortunately for connections she has been under an injury cloud all week and has missed a fast gallop. However she’s been out every morning and trainer Lloyd Kennewell is confident she will pass the veterinary examination on Saturday morning.

She’s a really nice filly to photograph as she is inquisitive and takes in all her surroundings in the mornings. So she poses nicely for the camera, ears pricked staring into the distance.

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Today she cantered on the turf track under big-race jockey Joe Bowditch. Trainer Lloyd Kennewell said: “The big thing for me is each day we have leapt forward and made progress, if she didn’t make progress yesterday we were in big trouble, she made significant progress overnight with a lot of work gone into her with (Paddy Bell) who is travelling with her – a lot of icing, natural therapies we can use here and it’s worked, we’re lucky we have time on our side and I’m quietly confident we’ll pass the vet check.”

“She has to go there (UK) no matter what due to quarantine restrictions, she’ll head off on Wednesday to England and be set for the King’s Stand all depending on how she goes Sunday.”

Lys Gracieux

I’m really taken with this filly, she’s done everything right this week and looks the part. She’s travelled here before and performed well with a 2nd to Exultant in the vase back in December. She just peaked on her run that day and she may be more favoured with the drop back to 2000m. In a tough race, I’m leaning her way.

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Today she jogged for a half lap and cantered easily for a lap over the all-weather track.  Trainer Yoshito Yahagi said: “She had a nice, easy piece of work to stretch her legs this morning. She has settled in and there are no worries. The starting gate will be the key, so she schooled at the gate with the handler. Everything has gone as planned. I’m not concerned about the rain-affected track, but I will be grateful if there is no rain on Sunday. Her conformation looks well and she is in good form.”

Deirdre

Another filly on her second visit to Hong Kong and again this one appears to be well settled. She comes here off of a good run in the Dubai Turf, finishing 4th there behind Almond Eye and Vivlos. She is looking to go one better in the QEII Cup after a runner up finish in the Hong Kong Cup.

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Nac Venus

It’s going to take a big effort for this mare to figure in the finish. While she appears to have done well since arriving, it’s a big step up in ratings for her to compete against this lot of horses.

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She jogged for 200m and cantered for one and a half-length laps over the all-weather track. Work rider Hirokimi Tamogi said: “She galloped the day before yesterday and was walking in the machine yesterday, so she was very fresh this morning. She felt really good.  She moved flexibly and sharply.  She will stretch her legs on the all-weather tomorrow morning.”

Win Bright

He comes here in good form having won both starts this year. He’ll need to bring all that and more here to figure in the finish, but has looked well all week and does appear to be coming to his peak as a 5yo. Today he appeared fresh and willing to get on with the job.

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Today he cantered easily for a lap on the all-weather track. Trainer Yoshihiro Hatakeyama said: “He was too fresh this morning, which proved he is in good form. He has done a similar routine to what he would have done at home, so all has gone smoothly. We got the luck of draw (gate one) but I have heard that too much rain might affect the rail and that is my only concern.”