Doumen satisfied with Tonic Francois Doumen arrived in Hong Kong today to supervise the final preparations of Jim And Tonic for Sunday`s Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Sha Tin and declared himself satisfied with the progress of his international superstar. Fresh from his recent success in the Dubai Duty Free, the tough gelding had a warm-up canter on the dirt track before a steady gallop over nine furlongs of the turf track under work rider Francois Pammart. Doumen said: 'The horse came back from Dubai to France and I did nothing with him for a week before cantering him. 'He was quite fresh the first day that he was here but has settled into his routine.' The Chantilly trainer admitted he had not been sure of Jim And Tonic`s chances in the Emirates. 'But he proved me wrong and he is still capable of surprising me,' he added. 'I think he is sharper than he was this time last year and he is as good as ever.' Jim And Tonic is likely to vie for favouritism for Sunday`s 10-furlong event with local hope Industrial Pioneer who, when known as Sobriety, won last year`s John Smith`s Cup at York. The two German challengers Caitano and Silvano also worked on the track today. German champion jockey Adrasch Starke acquainted himself once again with the former, who impressed in a strong canter on the dirt before breezing down the straight and impressing his pilot. Silvano`s trainer Andreas Wholer was on hand for the first time to see his charge breeze up the straight on the all-weather. A decision on the participation of New Zealand entry Kapstaad Way in Sunday`s race is expected tomorrow. The gelding 'tied-up' on the track on Thursday morning and was confined to the trotting circle in the quarantine barn today. However, he appeared to be trotting sound and improved his chances of taking part in the HK1million event.
