BLAZING SPEED – HK
Worked on the main all-weather track. Tracked up behind his lead horse under a tight hold in the home straight to clock 54.1s (28.8, 25.3).
Trainer Tony Cruz said: “I would say condition-wise, fitness-wise, he is 100 percent.”
DESIGNS ON ROME – HK
The 2014 APQEII Cup winner galloped on the turf in company with Booming Delight and clocked 1m 18.1s (28.1,27.7, 22.3) for the final 1200m.
Trainer John Moore said: “I couldn't get him any fitter than he is. His best days are behind him. He’s got as big a heart as you would ever want in a horse but the age – if he could run third or fourth it would be a very good result. Anything in front of that would be a bonus.”
DICTON – FR
Warmed up on the all-weather track and then galloped on the turf, clocking 1m 27.4s (30.2, 31.2, 26.0) for the final 1200m.
Rupert Pritchard-Gordon, owner Robert Ng’s racing manager, said: “He's fit and well and that's all he needs. He had a strong 1800 metres gallop at Maisons-Laffitte last Wednesday before he flew out.
“The horse is in good order and we're hopeful. We felt this race was the right option with the (Champions) Mile likely to be a bit quick for him. The trip here has been on the radar since last October. He’s versatile, you can ride him where you like and he's a horse who's kept on improving. He does like soft ground as he can quicken better than most under those conditions but better ground's not a concern.”
NEOREALISM – JPN
The Noriyuki Hori-trained six-year-old was raring to open up when working on the turf under big-race rider Joao Moreira. The chestnut breezed down the straight in 56.8s (33.2, 23.6) for 800m.
Moreira said: “I’m happy with the horse, he’s well, he’s free and he’s ready to go there and rock ‘n roll. He gave me a really good impression and he should be fitter by Sunday. He has a big chance.”
Hori said: “Compared to last year’s experience coming here, the travel was very smooth. I saw the horse for the first time here this morning, he is very settled and he appears to be in good form. I was trying to decide whether to gallop him today or tomorrow but I opted to gallop him today because there was a bit of cushion in the track due to the rain. I also wanted Joao to have some contact with the horse, to get a feel for him before the race. Everything has gone well so far.”
THE UNITED STATES – AUS
Remained in the quarantine stable.
PAKISTAN STAR – HK
Easy work on the all-weather track and clocked 1m 00.4s (32.4, 28.0) for 800m.
Trainer Tony Cruz said: “He’s a horse that is still maturing, his last trial was good and he seems to have come on again. I think he is as fit as ever.”
SECRET WEAPON – HK
Worked on the all-weather track under big-race jockey Zac Purton and clocked 56.1s (30.2, 25.9) for 800m.
WERTHER – HK
Galloped on the turf under Sam Clipperton in company with lead horse Leading City and clocked 1m 20.0s (28.0, 29.1, 22.9) for the final 1200m.
Trainer John Moore said: “Werther’s as fit as he was last year and the interrupted start to the season has meant that we lead into this race off a perfect prep. He’s peaking at the right time and his work this morning was just what I wanted to see. He was strong through the line and strong after the line – Sam (Clipperton) said the horse didn’t want to pull up.”
