Ekraar ready for Hong Kong Vase

Godolphin`s Ekraar looked in fine fettle when cantering on the all-weather track today in preparation for the Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin on Sunday.

The four-year-old colt appeared on excellent terms with himself, bucking and kicking as he walked on the course.

'He`s usually like that and he`s in good form. He`ll have a bit of a blow, probably on Friday, but he`s fit and we`ll just keep him ticking over,' said travelling head lad Sam Avis.

Godolphin`s other two Hong Kong challengers, Tobougg (Cup) and China Visit (Mile) looked well as they did a strong canter.

Tobougg, runner-up to Nayef in the Dubai Champion Stakes, was particularly impressive.

One of Ekraar`s opponents in the Vase is German challenger Caitano and he worked on the turf course under trainer Andreas Schutz`s stable jockey Andrasch Starke.

The seven-year-old was having his first serious work since he arrived in the former colony from Australia six days ago where he finished unplaced in the Melbourne Cup under Johnny Murtagh.

'I wanted him to work today as he hadn`t done anything since Australia and he`ll have another blow on Friday,' said Schutz.

The trainer went on to explain his reasons for replacing Schutz with Olivier Peslier in Sunday`s mile and a half race.

'Caitano has been around a long time and Andrasch has ridden him so many times that the horse is getting lazy for him, so we made the change,' he said.

'He`s in good form and still has plenty of ability. We were very happy to get the invitation to Hong Kong after Australia and I hope he`ll run the sort of race he did in the Vase last year when he ran third.'

Peslier is looking forward to the ride.

'He is a lovely old horse who tries his hardest,' he said.

'He travelled very well in the Melbourne Cup and looked to have every chance turning in, but just didn`t get home. He is dropping back in trip and if he can reproduce his fourth in the Arlington Million he should go well.'