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It is now down to the short strokes with stable crew and connections alike having done their utmost best to bring the 20 runners to the two glamour races to their peak.
Despite the trackwork proceedings winding down to a close, the Hong Kong media crew still outnumbered their other foreign counterparts with the strongest presence at the Kranji tracks, presumably to take a last look at their big team of five contenders, Military Attack, Dan Excel (Singapore Airlines International Cup), Lucky Nine, Aerovelocity and Rich Tapestry (KrisFlyer International Sprint) before they face the starter on Sunday.
Those who had been waiting for the French SIA Cup pair of Free Port Lux and Smoking Sun to finally breeze up were rewarded for their patience when they both came out for a bit of a blow. Both jogged along first, but on different tracks – Free Port Lux on the Polytrack and Smoking Sun, last year’s runner-up, again preferring to work in his little corner at the back (Track 4) - before quickening up, without going out to break records.
Otherwise, it was all quiet during the 6am-9.30am time slot on the local front. They either cantered or trotted, but all rocked up for one final appearance before showtime.
SINGAPORE AIRLINES INTERNATIONAL CUP
Cooptado (SG) – Patrick Shaw
Cantered one lap on Track 2 under jockey Barend Vorster.
“It’s all done and dusted. He is well within himself,” said assistant-trainer Ricardo Le Grange.
“He will just come out for a walk tomorrow.”
Jockey Barend Vorster, who rode the winner of the last race the night before, Mr Fantastic, said Friday’s workout had topped Cooptado off nicely.
“He just came out for a quiet canter this morning. He’s feeling good,” said the South African jockey.
“He’s sharpened up after yesterday’s gallop. He’s alert and looking around, it’s all good.”
Smoking Sun (FRA) – Pascal Bary
Trotted and cantered up and down Track 6 with track rider Patrick Lemagny in the saddle. The horse’s owners, the Niarchos Family had their representative Charlie Vaughan-Fowler on hand to watch him work.
“It was a nice canter down the back. It’s him who controls the buttons and he’s done everything right all week,” said track rider Patrick Lemagny.
“He is happy and that is a good sign. Back home, he would not even go on the main track after his work, but he does it here, he walks over to the main track, which is a huge effort.”
Niarchos Family representative Charlie Vaughan was satisfied with the way Smoking Sun has come along in Singapore.
“He looked good. Patrick was happy with the way he worked,” he said.
“He looks settled and seems to be enjoying himself here. We can only hope for a good run now.”
Meiner Frost (JPN) – Noboru Takagi
Cantered over two laps on Track 1 (turf) under track rider cum assistant-trainer Satoshi Munukata.
“He cantered at 18 seconds each furlong on the first lap and did 17 seconds in the second lap,” said track rider cum assistant-trainer Satoshi Munukata.
“He’s very well and very fresh. He was very concentrated and you can tell he wants to run.”
Dan Excel (HK) – John Moore
Did 400-500m of trotting on Track 2 with track rider Thomas Yeung astride, followed by a 1 ½ round of canter.
“We followed the same routine as the last few days,” said assistant-trainer George Moore. “A trot followed by some cantering on Track 2 (Polytrack).
“Tomorrow morning, we will lighten up the schedule with just a round on the Polytrack. It’ll be a nice and easy day.”
Military Attack (SIA Cup) & Lucky Nine (KrisFlyer) (HK) – Caspar Fownes
Both did a slow trot up and down Track 4 to warm up first, as per their usual routine. Military Attack with senior track rider Paul Lo up then cantered for two laps on Track 2 while Lucky Nine, who had Danny Suen up, did a 1 ½ lap of canter, also on Track 2.
“Lucky Nine had a canter for 1 ½ rounds on Track 2 (Polytrack),” said track rider Danny Suen.
“Military Attack did an easy double lap canter on Track 2,” said senior track rider Paul Lo.
“Both horses are eating well, sleeping well. Everything is good.
“The boss will come in tomorrow morning and only then will we know his workout plans for the two horses.”
Free Port Lux (FRA) – Freddy HeadCantered on Track 2 (Polytrack) under track rider Philippe Bruneau, sprinting off the last 600m.
“The horse is very well. He cantered very freely, had a good action and he was not blowing when he pulled up,” said trainer Freddy Head.
“He has kept his freshness and he is a horse who can do that throughout his prep. Philippe told me he quickened very well today.
“I’ve got him exactly where I want him to be.”
Johnny Guitar, Quechua, Slew Of Lode (SIA Cup) & Magneto (KrisFlyer) (SG) – Patrick Shaw
Trainer Patrick Shaw’s SIA Cup trio of Johnny Guitar, Quechua and Slew Of Lode cantered one lap of the Track 2 while Magneto went up the hill.
“They all had an easy day of canter and our job is done now,” said trainer Patrick Shaw.
Stepitup (SG) – Laurie Laxon
Pacework on Track 2 with apprentice jockey Rueven Ravindra aboard.
“His work has been great coming into the Cup,” said trainer Laurie Laxon.
“I think he’s a good chance. It’s this time of the year when he is at his peak. Two years ago this time, he won the Guineas.”
Wild Geese (SG) – Steven Burridge
Cantered on Track 3 (sand track) with senior track rider Mick Lockett up.
“He did two laps of canter on the Hong Kong track. All’s good with him,” said trainer Steven Burridge.
KRISFLYER INTERNATIONAL SPRINT
Aerovelocity (HK) – Paul O’Sullivan
Did a 1 ½ round of canter on Track 2 with track rider Chew Yew-chung astride.
“He had a canter on Track 2 for 1 ½ laps,” said trainer Paul O’Sullivan.
“The light workout will stretch his legs a little and keep him in his routine.”
“Tomorrow we will just do a lap on Track 2,” added assistant-trainer Pierre Ng.
Rich Tapestry (HK) – Michael Chang
A warm-up trot on Track 4 with track rider Sit Shun-keung on his back before proceeding to Track 2 for one round of canter.
“Same as yesterday,” said track rider Sit Shun-keung.
“I’m not sure what the routine is tomorrow. Will wait for boss to instruct when he is back.”
Hototo (BAH) – Fawzi Nass
Trotted and hacked on Track 6 before cantering back over five furlongs with track rider Hussain Abdulla in the saddle.
“He cantered over five furlongs today,” said assistant-trainer Nicolas Iguacel.
“He saw another horse go on the other track and he wanted to go with him. That’s just him.”
Dr Simon Abbott, veterinarian to trainer Fawzi Nass was also on hand to watch Hototo being put through his paces.
“He looks very good. He had a few issues back home, but he’s all good now and when Nico (Iguacel) told us he thought he would be the right horse for the Sprint, we flew over,” said Dr Abbott.
“Nico has been here before with some decent horses (2008 and 2011 winners Jay Peg and Gitano Hernando respectively) and he knows what it takes to win one of these races.”
El Padrino (SG) – Alwin Tan
Went up the hill with stable supervisor Jason Ong in the saddle.
“Today he looks fresher,” said trainer Alwin Tan. “My stable supervisor took him up the hill today for his light workout.
“Let’s hope for some rain tomorrow so we get a softer ground to race on. As for the rest, I leave it in the capable hands of the jockey (Oscar Chavez).”
Emperor Max (SG) – Stephen Gray
Trotted three laps of the trotting ring with apprentice jockey Ruzaili Yatim aboard.
“Smiley rode him around three laps of the trotting ring. He’s really good. He’s fit and ready,” said assistant-trainer Peter Sutton.
“He drew one, which is a big help. He won’t have to do a lot of work to land in a good spot.”
Kiwi Karma (SG) – Michael Clements
Slow canter over one round on Track 4 with track rider aboard.
“She just went for a slow canter round the back,” said trainer Michael Clements.
“She was well and she is ready for tomorrow.”
Zac Spirit (SG) – Cliff Brown
Cantered on Track 4.
“He had an easy canter on the heath, nothing else to report. The work’s all done now,” said trainer Cliff Brown.
“It’s now down to the real thing tomorrow.”