HKIR News : Tracknotes (1) - Hong Kong Sprint (Gr 2 -- 1000m) HK$8 million (14/12/2001)

14 December 2001

ALL THRILLS TOO (HK)

"Of my five runners in the International Races, All Thrills Too is my best chance. You generally find in Hong Kong that 1000-metre, form holds up best of all and we have done well in the Sprint in 1999 and 2000. Crystal Charm [2nd in 1999] and King Of Danes [3rd in 2000] might not have been the best sprinters in Hong Kong at the time, but they ran very well. Physically, All Thrills Too is still getting stronger and I'm hopeful of a big run," David Hayes.

KING OF DANES (HK)

King of Danes has fully recovered from a small problem with a ligament in his right stifle.
"He pulled up well after his work today and he's 100% fine now. I'm hoping that he can match last year's run when he ran third," said trainer Tony Cruz.

SOLID CONTACT (HK)

Trainer, Derek Cruz: "He got a good draw yesterday in gate seven. He's in great form. I wish I could run him today!"

THE TRADER (UK)

The Michael Blanshard-trained The Trader did light work this morning under big race jockey Kevin Darley. He was reported to be in good form by his handler, and Darley was also pleased. "He's very well. He's much more settled today. He was having a look about yesterday, was very fresh and anticipating what was going to happen. He gave me a good feel. I couldn't be more pleased with both the horses I ride (The Trader and Zindabad). They both need to improve but if things go right, they both have chances."

MORLUC (USA)

Trainer Randy Morse reports that Morluc, who walked on Sha Tin's all-weather surface this morning, will gallop on the turf course tomorrow. "At least that's what I intend to do, unless somebody throws up some sort of a roadblock and tells me I can't," said Morse. Morluc's Saturday morning gallop will take place, once again, with bar shoes on, but he will race with queen's plate shoes on Sunday, as is his norm.

NUCLEAR DEBATE (USA)

Trainer Darrell Vienna, who arrived in Hong Kong last night, said he was pleased with the smoothness of Nuclear Debate's leg action as the six-year-old gelding jogged around Sha Tin's all-weather surface this morning. Nuclear Debate's stride had gotten a bit rough during his morning exercises at Vienna's Southern California base in recent weeks, but it appears better balanced now, perhaps suggesting his performance will be improved this Sunday from his previous pair of Hong Kong Sprint efforts.

NICE ONE CLARE (UK)

Trainer 'Pip' Payne is upbeat about the well being of his filly, Nice One Clare. She did a nice piece of work upsides The Trader over 500 metres on the all-weather track. "She went very nicely and I am totally happy. She is ready," declared Payne.

FALVELON (AUS)

The defending champion had a solid hit-out on the grass this morning, breezing home his last 200 metres but he was always under a good hold - looking to and clearly capable of going quicker. 'Very happy. He pulled up nice and clean, ' said jockey Damien Oliver, 'he strode out beautifully and felt every bit as good as he did last year.' There appears to be a degree of confidence within the Falvelon camp which was heartily endorsed yesterday by Australian handicapper Jim Bowler who said the horse would 'take a power of beating' on Sunday. 'While it may not appear to be the case on paper, I believe his form this year is better than last. He had two goals after winning in Hong Kong last year. The first was to achieve Group one winning status which he did in the Doomben 10,000 and the second was to win again in Hong Kong,' Bowler said.

CENTURY KID (AUS)

The Australian 'underdog' who has played second fiddle to Falvelon - despite boasting a 1200 metres win over the Sprint favourite - also worked strongly on the grass this morning, skipping home solidly over the final 200 metres. 'Really good work. He felt beautiful,' said jockey Jim Cassidy. Perhaps even more significantly Cassidy went on to say that he was 'a lot happier with the horse' than he was after Tuesday's trackwork. Handicapper Jim Bowler said that he felt Century Kid would have to run his race from the front to have a winning chance. 'He could be competitive with a good run on the speed,' Bowler said.