Strong Euro Contingent In Canada

Three of the four European candidates for Sunday's 2million Pattison Canadian International had their first taste of Woodbine's turf course on Tuesday.

Kastoria, The Last Drop and Collier Hill ? who all arrived in Canada in Sunday, along with Roger Charlton's Blue Monday ? cantered on the yielding course as preparations for the Grade One contest over a mile and a half moved up a gear.

John Oxx's Kastoria, unbeaten in four races, will be seeking a second consecutive Group One success after defeating Yeats by half a length in the Irish Field St Leger last time out.

Oxx's charge cantered six furlongs under her groom Philip Carey, who accompanied the mare along with assistant trainer Jim O'Neill.

'She's fit ? she really doesn't need to do any work,' said O'Neill.

Mick Kinane, who won the 2002 Canadian International with Ballingarry, retains the mount on Kastoria.

Charlton is also happy with Blue Monday, who was last seen winning the Group Three Dubai Duty Free Arc Trial at Newbury.

The five-year-old has been a credit to connections this term and finished third in the Juddmonte and the Coral-Eclipse.

'He's in good form,' said Charlton.

'We decided to give him a year off (as a three-year-old), geld him and since then he's been in the money every time and got better and better and better.

'He's been an amazing horse. Whether he's good enough (to win the Canadian International), I don't know.'

Alan Swinbank's gutsy eight-year-old Collier Hill will attempt to register his 14th career victory at Woodbine.

The 2005 Irish St Leger hero returned to winning ways in Sweden on his last start when taking the Group Three Stockholm Cup International.

'He's a good traveller,' Swinbank told www.woodbinemohawk.com.

'The first time we ever took him abroad, he lost five kilograms on the round trip, which was seven days.'

On Collier Hill's Swedish success, Swinbank added: 'The ground was right and the track was suitable.

'I wouldn't say it was the strongest Stockholm Cup there had ever been but he won it so nicely ? he was never off the bridle.'

The Dr Devious gelding will be ridden for the 14th consecutive time by Dean McKeown, who is scheduled to arrive in Toronto today.

A field of 10 runners is expected to be announced for the Canadian International at the ceremonial draw on Thursday.

(C) PA Sport