Zindabad, Mark Johnston's latest international campaigner, looked in good form this morning under big race jockey Kevin Darley.

The Hong Kong Vase contender lost ten kilograms on his journey over but this is of no undue concern to his trainer.

"He lost the same amount on the trip to Canada. He has put on four kgs since arriving and although he is as light as I would want him to be, he looks in good shape. I was delighted with him in Canada, where he finished third in the Canadian International before being disqualified. He was interfered with on the first bend and lost his position but then he lent on an unplaced horse in the last 400m. Whatever it was a good run from a far from ideal draw."

"Sha Tin is a much sharper track than Woodbine, therefore we are hoping for a middle to high draw, 5-9, so he can get a bit of room early. He may not be quick enough to get into his stride for a sharp track like this but he has definitely got the ability to win this type of race. The ground will suit him and to be honest he has not had his ground all year in England and that explains why his form looks a bit up and down. I was very excited when I got him as he has always shown a lot of ability and potential. He lost a shoe and stood on a nail in July. That wrecked his mid-season campaign, I now think that the interruption may have worked in our favour. He has had a very light campaign for a five-year-old, only having run six times, so he is fresh for this with a view to going on to the Dubai Sheema Classic," Johnston said.

"Of the two most recent horses I have brought out here (Fruits of Love and Murgem), he is most similar to Murgem. He progressed from the same Listed race at Leicester to Royal Ascot. Ascot was probably the highlight of his season where he was narrowly denied in the Hardwicke Stakes (Gr.2-2400m). Murgem was fifth in this race last year having not run as good a race as Zindabad in Canada, so on that we have a chance of going closer this year. He will need all of the trip so we are hoping for a strong pace and a clear run. This race has always been on the agenda so fingers crossed."

Those sentiments were echoed by former British Champion jockey Kevin Darley, who rides Zindabad on Sunday. After another great season in the UK which saw him partner 158 winners and finish second in the table, Darley is looking forward to Sunday and his winter as a Club Jockey in Hong Kong, which will begin in earnest on 3rd January.

"The atmosphere here is very different from anywhere else in the world, particularly at Happy Valley, which is unique. Obviously I have big hopes for Zindabad on Sunday and also The Trader, who I ride in the Sprint. Zindabad is the proverbial bus! You can put him where you like in a race, I would like pace but if there is none I will happily let him bowl along in front as he needs every yard of the trip. The Trader has the necessary pace, which he proved by breaking the track record at Newbury. He will sit near the pace, and has the ability to quicken of a fast pace. It is hard for European sprinters here as it comes at the end of a hard long season.

"I am really looking forward to my three months here. I was in Hong Kong in 1996 and it did not really get going until the last month.. I had 70 rides and 5 winners. I hope I can get a couple of winners early this time. Whatever, it will be different as I am coming here with a bigger profile and I know the routine which will help. The standard is undoubtably very competitive, both in terms of the horses and the jockeys.