Champions Mile
HELENE PARAGON – HK
Worked over 1200m on the main turf track under Sam Clipperton with recent Class 1 winner Midnight Rattler, recording 1m 20.5s (28.8, 28.7, 23.0).
Clipperton said: “He’s been going very well in the mornings, I’ve ridden him in two pieces of work in the past week or so and he’s impressed me quite a lot. He seems very sharp and he’s fit. His work suggests he’ll run a very bold race.”
RAPPER DRAGON – HK
Big-race rider Joao Moreira was in the plate for a turf gallop in company with Class 4 racer Ashkiyr. Clocked 1m 20.1s (27.5, 29.3, 23.3) for 1200m.
Moreira said: “There are only a few words I can say that do it justice – I wouldn’t want to be on any other horse. His gallop was exactly what you’d want three days out from a race.”
STORMY ANTARCTIC – GB
Cantered on the dirt, before paddock schooling – initially with blinkers off, then with blinkers applied.
Trainer Ed Walker said: “The track was a bit sloppy so we were happy for him to do no more than some steady work again this morning. Karis (Teetan) will come down in the morning and will gallop him on the turf, just to dash up 400 (metres). He’s fit and well and, really, tomorrow will just be stretching his legs and opening up his lungs.”
CONVEY – GB
Breezed over 400m in 31.1s on turf, before parade ring schooling.
CIRCUIT LAND – HK
Sent down the back straight with Class 4 galloper Gorgeous Again, stopping the clock in 50.3s (25.5, 24.8) over 800m under apprentice Dylan Mo.
Trainer Danny Shum said: “He’s doing good – he is happy and fresh but I know it is a very strong field. We will try our best and see what he can do. His last run, he was third, but it was just a third. It’s hard to win but we have to try. We are lucky to have Hugh Bowman to ride on Sunday, so that’s a plus. Long-term, we are hoping we can go to Korea for the Korea Cup over 1800m, if everything goes to plan.”
Chairman’s Sprint Prize
MR STUNNING – HK
Galloped over 800m on the main all-weather track, clocking 57.4s (31.5, 25.9).
Trainer John Size said: “He’s done well at home, he looks good, he seems to be fit and healthy so hopefully he runs well again.”
LUCKY BUBBLES – HK
Breezed over 400m on the Sha Tin all-weather track in 29.2s.
Trainer Francis Lui said: “This time, I’ve been trying to keep him fresh because he didn’t quite look the same last time out. So this morning, we took it easy with him. He looks well, but at this time, I can’t say how he’s going to run on Sunday, I just don’t know. We’ve made a couple of changes just to try and freshen the horse’s mind. After Sunday, we will give him a long break and hope that helps him, he is not a big horse. Of course it is disappointing that he has not yet won a Group 1, he is good enough, but surely it will come for him – he is a top horse.”
AMAZING KIDS – HK
Took to the Sha Tin all-weather track for a relaxed 800m gallop in 59.4s (33.5, 25.9).
Trainer John Size said: “On the outside, he looks OK, we will only find out race day though if he’s taken any harm from the Dubai trip. He hasn’t shown us anything to suggest we shouldn’t be running. It was an ordinary trial last Tuesday but he’s done that many times and come out and won.”
NOT LISTENIN’TOME – HK
Sent down the Sha Tin riverside, completing 800m in 47.4s (25.3, 22.1).
Trainer John Moore said: “Not Listenin’tome enjoys going out by himself, just an easy gallop over 800m. He was cajoled early to make sure he got right into the bridle quickly.”
BLIZZARD – HK
Cantered one lap of the small all-weather track.
Trainer Ricky Yiu said: “He worked early this morning. He’s as good as I can get him for this race.”
THEWIZARDOFOZ – HK
Completed one lap of the inner all-weather track at a canter under assistant trainer Frankie Lor.
Trainer John Size said: “The most pleasing thing about his first-up effort was the way he went home after the race. He has done very well and the race has brought him on.”
DASHING FELLOW – HK
Worked down the Sha Tin riverside over 800m in 46.5s (23.9, 22.6) under big-race rider Sam Clipperton.
Clipperton said: “Dashing Fellow had a jumpout from the gates, just to keep him sharp. He’s in a very tough race on the weekend. He’s honest though and if this bit of rain hangs around, that would help his cause.”
