Eishin Preston, the spectacular winner for Japan of the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile at December's International Races, revisited the scene of his greatest triumph for the first time this morning. The son of Green Dancer arrived at Sha Tin from Tokyo at 1pm on Tuesday and looked extremely well this morning as he did a slow canter around the all-weather track under work rider Kazuo Fujiwara.

"Yesterday's trip took about four hours and 30 minutes and it went well," Fujiwara said. "The horse has settled in nicely and is very relaxed after the journey. Tomorrow he will have an easy canter on the turf track. His trainer Shuji Kitahashi and his jockey Yuichi Fukunaga will arrive here on Saturday."

The other Japanese challenger Agnes Digital was also seen out on the all-weather and did light work over about 2800 metres. "The humidity in Hong Kong is not ideal for the horse, but Agnes Digital has experienced this kind of weather in Dubai," his groom, Mr Inoue, said.

"He has been eating up well this morning as Eishin Preston's connections brought some of the hay that he is used to in Japan. The horse has been away from Japan for a long time, but overall he is still in good condition. Tomorrow he will have a fast breeze over 1200m on the turf course. He never has any lead horse in his work as nobody is able to keep up with him!" Inoue said.

Grandera continued to please his connections in the build-up to Sunday's HK$14 million race, when he will be the mount of Frankie Dettori, who was in double form at Newmarket on Tuesday.

Godolphin's travelling head lad Ross Campbell said: "Grandera strengthened up over the winter and I think he is in good shape. He should be there or thereabouts in the race, but I have a lot of respect for the two Japanese horses."

Bruno Poirier, work rider for Okawango, one of the two French runners, had an anxious moment when he lost an iron which fell to the track during his morning canter, but happily he was able to stay aboard and pull up without mishap. French filly Lethals Lady, meanwhile, once again took a keen hold in her morning canter and appears on good terms with herself.

Australia's Universal Prince did no more than jog on the all-weather track today following his turf workout under Justin Sheehan yesterday. The 2001 AJC Australian Derby hero is expected to do another piece of fast work on the turf again tomorrow morning, equipped with a pair of blinkers.

It was a quiet morning for the Hong Kong contingent. Despite the absence of Industrial Pioneer, champion trainer Brian Kan said his remaining AP QEII Cup contender Rainbow And Gold was in good form. "He is better over 2400 metres but we are keen to have a go and try and win some prize-money," he said.

The remainder of the local team are expected to have their final preps on Thursday and Friday.