OUT of the 18 European and Dubai-trained horses due to contest the Hong Kong International races at Sha Tin on Sunday, only the German-trained pair Silvano (Cup) and Caitano (Vase) were seen to do any serious exercise on the grass today.

Daliapour looked in great shape as he went through his paces on the all-weather track. The 2000 Vase champion has proved he reaches his peak at this time of year and his trainer, Sir Michael Stoute, has campaigned him this season with a repeat performance in mind. Daliapour's Vase rival Zindabad was also confined to a canter on the all-weather and will wait until his trainer Mark Johnston arrives from England before he does anything stronger.

Hawkeye, who worked nicely yesterday, had a quiet canter on the all-weather as did the Mile contender Tough Speed. The Dubai trio, Ekraar (Vase), Tobougg (Cup) and China Visit (Mile), all sporting their customary white, socks looked well as they did a strong canter on the all-weather. Tobougg looked especially well.

Last year's sprint runner-up, Morluc, who had been due to canter on the all-weather, was switched the last minute to the grass. Work watchers were expecting to see him do a piece of work but he never came out of a hack canter as he completed one circuit of the track.

Nuclear Debate, who has been unplaced under Jimmy Fortune and Gerald Mosse in the last two International Sprints, will have American ace Gary Stevens on board this year - his second race for his new connections in the USA. The Darrell Vienna-trained six-year-old knows the Sha Tin atmosphere well now, and he had the air of a horse who 'has been here, done this' about him.

Nice One Clare was fresh and took a fierce hold with her exercise rider as she cantered in behind China Visit on the all-weather and is pleasing her trainer, 'Pip' Payne in her build-up to the Sprint, while The Trader, the UK's second representative in the Sprint, stayed in the Trotting Ring. The John Gosden-trained Mount Abu, who will be tackling a mile for the first time on Saturday, also stayed in the Trotting Ring.

Proudwings, who looked impressive in her work yesterday, was rewarded with a morning in the Trotting Ring while the French quartette of Jim And Tonic, Choc Ice, Terre A Terre (Cup) and Foundation Spirit ( (Vase) all arrived in Hong Kong this morning.