Normcore

One of three horses to take to the turf this morning, Normcore, put in a strange piece of work. She was fine first time up the straight, but as she passed by the second time she was fighting the rider and throwing her head about.

She comes to Hong Kong off a win in the G1 in theVictoria Mile and in 2018 enjoyed success at G2 and G3 level. On bare form she may struggle to be up to the level of some of the others here, but is clearly in the best form of her career.

Trainer Kiyoshi Hagiwara said: “She worked on the turf track for the first time since she got here. She was fresh and keen. No concern about her condition at the moment. The turf seems to suit her and she will gallop tomorrow.”

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Edisa

The Alain de Royer Dupre trained Edisa is a progressive 3yo filly who followed a win in the Jockey Club Oaks Invitational at Belmont USA, with a second in G2 Prix du Conseil de Paris. Her dam Ebiyza ran in the Vase in 2013, finishing sixth to the John Moore trained Dominant. Her form has been good all season with three wins and three seconds from seven starts.

Today she cantered a lap of the Sha Tin dirt track under work rider Louise Grouselle. Travelling head lad Antoine Creton said: “She just had a little canter this morning to open the lungs, nothing too serious. For the moment everything has gone well.”

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Aethero

Aethero has a massive boom on him, one well earned with some impressive performances this season and last. Two starts ago he broke Sacred Kingdom’s 1000m track record and last start beat the best sprinters Hong Kong has to offer to win the Jockey Club Sprint.

He is still a lean 3yo, with plenty of maturing left to do. He was spooked a little today when galloping past the Longines timer situated on the outside of the dirt track.

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Trainer John Moore said: “He hacked around and did it beautifully, I’m very happy with him. Mine will just keep hacking around the big track each morning until Thursday when they’ll do their fast work.” Looking forward to Thursday!!

In Her Time

Dual G1 winner In Her Time made her first appearance on the dirt track this morning. She exercised lightly, having arrived in Hong Kong on Sunday night. She’s competed at G1 level on twelve occasions for six placings and the two wins, the most recent win being this years Lightning Stakes down the Flemington straight. Her last run was a third to Nature Strip in the G1 VRC Spint Classic.

She completed fast work back home in Newcastle last Friday, so will only tick over this week. While her run in the Everest was below par, her last run was encouraging, but she will need to be at her best to match it with the local team in this.

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Called To The Bar

Called To The Bar raced only four times in his 3yo season but nabbed a G3 at Chantilly and in the last start that season was 2nd on firm ground in the G1 Belmont Derby Invitational (2000m). He matured into fine stayer as 4yo climaxing with 2nd in G1 Prix Royal-Oak (3000m). His three wins from five this term include G2 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier (3000m) and latterly the G3 Prix Gladiateur (3100m). He’s tactically versatile and has led. Most of his form is on good ground or softer.

Following the adirt track work on Monday, trainer Pia Brandt switched to the turf on today for a one lap breeze and clocked 1m 21.7s (28.6, 27.8, 25.3) for the final 1200m. For the second day in a row it was the trainer herself – an accomplished jockey in her native Sweden – who rode Called To The Bar. Brandt said: “The trip over went fine and he was very relaxed in his canter on the turf today, so I hope he wakes up by Sunday! He worked well at Chantilly before we left and he is ready. I don’t think he’ll go back on the turf later in the week but we’ll see.”

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Zaaki

Zaaki had smart form in four runs as 2yo before switching to the Sir Michael Stoute stable. He had one win and four placings from six starts as 3yo including third placings in a pair of 10-furlong G3 contests. He’s been better than ever this term when dropped to distances around a mile. He started with two wins at Listed and G3 level and was 2nd to Beat The Bank in the G2 Summer Mile before winning G3 Strensall Stakes (1800m) in August. But he was no match for G1 winner Benbatl when a well-beaten 3rd in G2 Joel Stakes (1600m). A back marker, he has no worries on firm ground.

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Today he cantered around the dirt track – bunny hopping at one point -partnered by work rider Fabien Guilois. Travelling head groom Sarah Denniff said: “He’s travelled well and seems happy. He might go on the turf tomorrow.”

Thanks to the HKJC notes team for quotes from connections.