Tonic in top shape for Cup test

French globetrotter Jim And Tonic is reported to be in tip-top shape for his bid to regain the Hong Kong Cup.

The seven-year-old will be making his seventh trip to Sha Tin on December 16th, having won there times including this race in 1999.

And he was third to Fantastic Light in this Group One contest over a mile-and-a-half last year.

'He is in super form and totally ready for the race,' said trainer Francois Doumen.

'He has done very well this autumn although it was a pity about his second in the Prix Rond-Point on Arc day but the going was very soft for him.

'His win in the Dubai Duty Free in March proved how good he still is and all I do now is prepare him for Hong Kong and let him get on with it. Thierry Thulliez will ride.'

Doumen is also looking for a good run from the three-year-old Foundation Spirit, who has received a late invitation for the Hong Kong Vase.

Said the trainer: 'Foundation Spirit has not proved himself yet as he has had niggling problems this season.

'He ran a lovely race in the French Derby in June in which he was only beaten two-and-a-half lengths in sixth behind Anabaa Blue. He had a dirty throat afterwards and has not been trained much, but he is a very decent horse.'

The Hong Kong Jockey Club are hoping to replace the injured Val Royal with the Singapore-based Saddle Up in the Cup.

The six-year-old is rated one of the best horses ever to race in his native India where his victories included the Banglaore 2000 Guineas, Derby and St Leger.

He moved to Malaysia a year ago to be trained by Frenchman Arnaud de Moussac and made history by becoming the first Indian-bred horse to win a Classic over there when lifting the Tunku Gold Cup.