Routine exercise was the order of the day on a damp and grey Saturday morning at Sha Tin as contenders for tomorrow's HK$ 14 million Audemars Piguet QE II Cup made their final appearances on the work tracks.

Grandera had a gentle canter round the track under regular rider John Phelan and looks ready to run a big race for jockey Frankie Dettori on Sunday. Godolphin's travelling head lad Ross Campbell, said: "He is ready to run. I hope he comes fast and late."

French trainers Robert Collet and Criquette Head-Maarek were both trackside as Lethals Lady (Collet) and Okawango (Head-Maarek) had a final canter on the track.

Collet said: "Everything is perfect. The only worry is the 2000 metres distance which may be as far as she wants to go."

Head-Maarek said Okawango was enjoying himself in Hong Kong. "He has a fair winning chance, but I would very happy if he just ran into the place money. No excuses can be made for the ground or the post position, the only excuse will be if some of the other horses run faster!"

Australian challenger Universal Prince had a gentle canter on the all-weather track, followed by a visit to the paddock to familiarise himself with the parade ring. "I think the horse is spot on and I hope he will run to his best form," trainer Bede Murray said.

Last out were Japanese challengers Agnes Digital and Eishin Preston for their final canters. Once again Eishin Preston, who has caught the eye of track-work watchers all week, looked outstanding as he slow cantered a couple of circuits of the all-weather track, finishing with a half-speed gallop in the home stretch.

"There's no pressure on me," race jockey Yuichi Fukunaga said. "The draw in gate five is fine, and I plan to settle my horse in third or fourth place. I am sure that the 2000 metres distance of the race will be no problem for Eishin Preston."

Toshiaki Shirai, trainer of Agnes Digital, whose track routine was similar to that of Eishin Preston, said the horse's condition had improved daily since he arrived from Dubai.

"Breaking from his wide draw is not a worry, and he'll go forward and take up an inside position. There are a lot of good horses to respect, but I know Eishin Preston well and I think that he will be a big threat in the race."

Finally, on the likely conditions for Sunday, John Ridley, the Hong Kong Jockey Club's racing manager, said: "The ground will be good, and fair to all the contenders. The weather should be fine too."