HKIR Trackwork: Japanese Horses Thriving at Sha Tin

HONG KONG — Flashback 12 months ago to the Wednesday morning prior to the Longines Hong Kong International Races, when the skies opened over Sha Tin Racecourse and again later that evening over Happy Valley Racecourse, dampening the mood of those on hand, at least slightly. There were no such meteorological concerns this time around, as overcast skies gave way to gradual clearing as the international entrants for Sunday's four Group 1 tests were put through their paces before a growing number of media.

While the local contingent, including G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile hopeful Able Friend (Aus) (Shamardal) got in their work prior to the renovation of the dirt track at around 8:30, the internationals began to emerge, led by defending G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase and GI Breeders' Cup Turf winner Highland Reel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who lumbered up the stretch just in advance of stable companion Cougar Mountain (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}). The duo took a lap of the Sha Tin turf, opening the pipes just a bit down the lane, then each returning a with a bit of kidney sweat on a seasonably cool morning.

The Andre Fabre-trained 5-year-old Elliptique (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) soon appeared and looked very well within himself galloping down the straight, as did his compatriot Garlingari (Fr) (Linngari {Ire}). The latter is trained by Corine Barande-Barbe, who called the shots on the career of the wildly popular Cirrus des Aigles (Fr) (Even Top {Ire}), a six-time visitor to Hong Kong.

Making a big impression–quite literally–was Takedown (Aus) (Stratum {Aus}), the last-out winner of the G1 Winterbottom S. for trainer Gary Moore, who will face brother John's Not Listenin'tome (Aus) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint. This observer has never seen a more robust racehorse in the flesh, as Takedown tips the scale at better than 1360 pounds. He took the eye, and filled the camera lens, during his morning work.

Big Orange (GB) (Duke of Marmalade {Ire}), who will try to give Highland Reel a test in the Vase, led New Zealand's Benzini (Aus) (Tale of the Cat) onto the Sha Tin dirt track, but soon to follow was the 13-strong entry from Japan, one looking bigger and better than the next.

Lovely Day (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}), ninth in the G1 Tenno Sho behind Maurice (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}), looked bright and alert as he made his way onto the dirt, while the latter, who takes in the Cup this year after winning the Mile last December, was also quite full of himself. Satono Aladdin (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), a rich dark bay, tugged his way along nicely and looks like he might be ready to keep the Mile in the Land of the Rising Sun, while G1 Yasuda Kinen winner Logotype (Jpn) (Lohengrin {Jpn}) also advertised himself nicely. A Shin Hikari (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) was his playful self, moving more laterally than forward at times, but those who know will tell you this is the A Shin Hikari they'd want to see in the morning. On his day, Staphanos (Jpn) ( Deep Impact {Jpn}) is one of Japan's top 10-furlong horses and, making his third trip down to Hong Kong in the last 20 months, looked to be carrying good flesh Wednesday morning. Big Arthur (Jpn) (Sakura Bakushin O {Jpn}), the better-fancied of Japan's two entries for the Sprint, could never be mistaken for anything but a short-track specialist. A big, blocky type and hard to miss in his yellow tack, he too struck an imposing figure on the track Wednesday morning. Red Falx (Jpn) (Swept Overboard) proved the beneficiary last time in the G1 Sprinters' S., running over the top of horses to win while Big Arthur could never get out of traffic. To be sure, he is far less impressive physically than many of the other Japanese horses, but the talent is there and Mirco Demuro sees fit to ride. The morning's final worker was Nuovo Record (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), runner-up to A Shin Hikari in last year's Cup, but taking her shot in the Vase this time around. Also unmistakable in her green hood, she'll have her work cut out for her, but shows no ill effect from her recent busy schedule which saw her win the GIII Red Carpet H. at Del Mar in Southern California less than two weeks ago.

Thursday morning is always an important one ahead of the International Races, as many of the Japanese runners will be given a searching gallop and asked to quicken home, while the locally based John Moore will oversee the final major move of his half-dozen HKIR runners from the 1800-metre point and down the riverside part of Sha Tin. We'll have that report tomorrow, plus reaction to the draw, which takes place at 10:30 a.m.