Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile Trackwork Update The quickest times of the morning posted by CXHK Mile contenders came from local hopes, Grand Zulu, The Duke and Oriental Magic (ex. Kalaman). John Size, who trains Australian Gr.1 winner Grand Zulu, who clocked 24.5 sec for the final 400m of the all-weather on Wednesday morning, said: 'We?re throwing him into a difficult race, it?s a strong race but we think that he is up to it and we are hoping that will perform well. His first run here [when a nose second carrying second top weight in the 1400m Chevalier Cup on November 28] was very good, very encouraging. 'We didn?t know how he would adapt to Hong Kong, or how quickly he would make his presence felt. But as he trained well, we thought that it was well worth our trying him in an international race.' Oriental Magic went home in a sharp 22.4 sec for jockey Gerald Mosse on the all-weather, while Robbie Fradd steered The Duke up the same stretch in 23.2 sec. 'He felt really well and he is well worth his chance in the Mile, particularly after his win the International Mile Trial last time. He?s such a tough horse. He?ll give me everything on the day, that?s for sure,' said Fradd. Antonius Pius, under work rider Pat Lillis, only cantered on the sand and looked well with no problems reported from Ballydoyle foreman, Pat Keating. The classy three-year-old has had his critics this year, but trainer Aidan O?Brien is looking forward to Sunday?s race. 'We learned a lot about him in America [when second in the Breeders? Cup Mile]. We probably learned more about him there than we have all year. If we have him right on the day, it is very possible that the best is yet to be come,' O?Brien said. Champion JRA Sprinter-Miler Durandal, likely to be very prominent in the betting on Sunday, was in good form as he cantered on the dirt track this morning. Said travelling head lad Hirokazu Wada: 'He often needs company in new surroundings and he can be quite difficult. However, he has given us no problems this time and his condition is as good as I could have hoped for.' The other Japanese CXHK Mile contender, Telegnosis appears ready for a top performance on Sunday. He has been a light canter for one lap over the dirt track under his regular exercise rider Yoshihiro Kishi, who said: 'I am happy with his condition. He had a good look at the big video screen inside the track, but he is used to it now.' The in-form Mile hope from France, Valentino, went half-speed on the dirt and trainer Alain de Royer Dupre is expected to be at the course later this week to supervise a faster piece of work.
