Sha Tin Track Work 4.12.2019

There was plenty of action at Sha Tin this morning, with a number of visitors taking to the turf for a gallop.

Indy Champ

The champion Japanese Miler has made a good impression this week. He’s looked nice and relaxed and appears to have taken to the new environment well, each morning he has completed what has been asked of him without any fuss. With two big G1 wins this season (Yasuda Kinen and Mile Championship), he brings some great form to this and will be a good match for the local champion, Beauty Generation.

Today he warmed up in the quarantine trotting ring before breezing six furlongs, during which he shifted his running-line a couple of times and seemed to be looking around. He clocked 1m 24.5s (34.0, 27.9, 22.6). Assistant trainer Kenichi Shono said: “He was a bit distracted by the grandstand this morning but once we got him focused, he moved well. He is in good condition.”

Danon Smash

The son of two time Hong Kong Sprint champion Lord Kanaloa, is another who has looked to enjoy the change of surroundings this week. While his form does not appear to be up to that of the local brigade, he does appear to have some upside. He’ll be finishing hard on Sunday, a win would surprise, but a placing is not out of the question.

After warming up up in the quarantine trotting track before breezing, he clocked 1m 22.2s (31.9, 27.9, 22.4) for the final 1200m. Exercise rider Keiichiro Yasuda said “He has relaxed a lot. He wasn’t as tense as before, so he was able to do a good breeze today. He is in good condition.”

Win Bright

Win Bright is back, after running a career peak to win at course and distance in G1 FWD QEII Cup last April, when he displayed a strong turn-of-foot. That completed three wins in a row, including a second consecutive win in the G2 Nakayama Kinen (1800m) in February. He’s been below his best two starts since returning to action this autumn; only eighth to Almond Eye in hot edition of G1 Tenno Sho Autumn (2000m) latest. He relishes a fast track and is a closer with a strong kick.

Deidre

Sha Tin Track Work – 4/12/19 Deirdre (迪雅卓), representing Japan, prepares for the Longines Hong Kong Vase during trackwork at Sha Tin Racecourse.

This top-class globe-trotting mare completed an autumn 3yo hat-trick to win the 2017 G1 Shuka Sho (2000m). She then defeated Lys Gracieux in the G2 Fuchu Himba (1800m) last year as a lead-up to a fine 2nd to Glorious Forever in G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m). Deidre has raced in Dubai, Hong Kong and Europe this year for a win in the G1 Nassau Stakes (1979m) as well as an unlucky 4th in G1 Irish Champion Stakes (2000m) and 3rd at her latest start in G1 Champion Stakes (2000m).

After warming up in the trotting ring, she galloped on the turf under jockey Oisin Murphy, clocking 1m 24.9s (33.7, 28.7, 22.5) for the final 1200m. Murphy said: “She is really fit and ready for the race. She understands what she has to do over the week. She is in very good form and I hope she will keep the good condition to the end of the week.”

Lucky Lilac

This filly is another who has taken well to Sha Tin, having done everything asked of her without fuss during the week. She is coming here off a win in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup, and is in the form of her life.

After her work on the turf, clocking 1m 18.5s (31.5, 25.5, 21.5) for the final 1200m, Assistant trainer Eishu Maruuchi said: “We’ve been making slight adjustments to her training both here and in Japan to make sure we can get the best out of her here. She seems to be responding very well. The track has a nice bounce to it and it seems really easy to run on.”

Anthony Van Dyke

Sha Tin Track Work – 4/12/19 Aethero (忠心勇士), representing Hong Kong, prepares for the Longines Hong Kong Sprint during trackwork at Sha Tin Racecourse.

It’s not often we get to see a winner of The Derby in this part of the world, particularly the reigning champion. So having Anthony Van Dyke here is a pleasant surprise. He comes here off a third to the mighty Bricks and Mortar in the Breeders Cup Turf, which is pretty solid form.

He was not far off Europe’s best as a 2yo and progressed nicely to his win the G1 Derby (2405m) at Epsom in June. He’s not won in four runs since, but has shown top-class form against his elders in his last two starts. Prior to the Breeders Cup he was a sound third behind stablemate Magical in the G1 Irish Champion Stakes (2000m) in September.