Hong Kong Cup Trackwork Update Wednesday.

Christophe Soumillion was on hand to ride Latice, his mount in Sunday?s CX Hong Kong Cup. The filly worked on the turf track at Sha Tin with fellow French CXHKIR raiders Touch of Land and Vallee Enchantee.

Latice settled in behind the other two and breezed very much within herself. 'She feels very good,' reported Soumillion later. 'She was unlucky in the Arc. She finished seventh but had no run and should have been a lot closer - I think she will be on Sunday.'

Latice?s trainer Jean-Marie Beguigne echoed the Belgian rider?s sentiments. 'She has travelled well, she?s at the same weight and she looks well. She will run her race on Sunday. I know it?s a strong field but I have plenty of grounds for optimism. She won the Prix de Diane [French Oaks, Gr.1-2100m] after all,' he said.

Irish Cup challenger, the Jim Bolger-trained Alexander Goldrun, was another seen to good effect on the Sha Tin turf. The filly was given a lead in her turf work by one of Germany?s Vase hopes Senex, and her trainer was delighted with what he saw. 'That went perfectly, just what I wanted,' he said, after his filly completed her final two furlongs in 22.1 seconds. 'She?s in good form, and it?s possible she has improved since her last run [when she won the Gr.1 Prix de l?Opera].'

French trainer Henri-Alex Pantall was also happy with the Gr.2 Prix Dollar winner Touch of Land after his horse had worked in the company of Latice and Vallee Enchantee over 1200 metres, with all three going well within themselves.

'The horse is very well, and this course should suit him. The trip and the ground should be perfect.'

The third French challenger, the Andre Fabre-trained, Walkamia continued her preparations for Sunday with a regulation gallop on the all weather track, going a half mile in a leisurely 56 .4 sec.

Ballydoyle?s representative Pat Keating said Powerscourt (ridden by Seamus Heffernan) has continued to make progress since his run when tenth in the Japan Cup on November 28.

Speaking from Ireland, trainer Aidan O?Brien discussed Sunday?s race tactics for his Breeders? Cup Turf third. 'I?d imagine we would probably wait with him; take our time a little bit more, hopefully produce him late because he has the speed to get there. When he gets there he can be a little bit idle; he is inclined to wait on other horses,' he said.

'He is a horse with loads of class, loads of speed and he is probably at his best in a fast-run mile and a quarter.'

Australian hope Fields Of Omagh had only a light workout on the dirt this morning after his strong gallop on the grass yesterday when the fast time he returned shocked his trainer Tony McEvoy.

'I couldn?t believe he went as quick as the official times showed. If he runs up to that work on Sunday he?s going to be right in the thick of it.'

Japan?s Dance In The Mood cantered for one lap on all-weather track under her regular exercise rider Naruhito Kasai. 'She sometimes looks around and does not concentrate on her work-out when she is alone,' said travelling head lad Tsukasa Uemizu from owners, Shadai Farm. 'But she is in good form and will have a fast piece of work tomorrow morning. Jockey Olivier Peslier does not ride on her until race day.'

Gary Tanaka?s major Cup hope Rakti once again looked very keen to get on with things, taking a strong hold as he cantered on the all weather surface.

Germany?s Cup challenger Soldier Hollow had his big race jockey William Mongil clocking 24.0 sec for the final 400m on the all-weather, while the David Hayes-trained Cup pair of Ain?t Here and Elegant Fashion did a handy 1200m workout on the all-weather to the satisfaction of their trainer.

Of the former, Hayes said: 'I think he is capable of winning but there are too many unknown factors to enable you to be confident. But it?s safe to say that I?m confident.'

Elegant Fashion, third in this race in 2003, was also the subject of a positive bulletin. 'She had no luck in Australia but showed she was still in peak form last in the International Mile Trial. That?s as good as a 1600m as she has ever run here and I?m pretty confident she will be competitive as she always is in these races,' said Hayes.

Elegant Fashion has tackled three international races in HK and has yet to finish out of the money.