Hong Kong International Races Trackwork Notes Friday

CATHAY PACIFIC HONG KONG CUP (Gr.1-2000m)
The talented but temperamental Rakti, the subject of some concern earlier this week due to persistent reefing and pulling on the training track, was a far more composed character on Friday morning.

Trainer Michael Jarvis´ decision to confine the five-year-old to the trotting ring yesterday paid dividends as Rakti gently lobbed around the all-weather under his regular work rider Bob McGonagle.

'He´s much more relaxed today, thankfully. He´s like that. He can be a completely different horse from one day to the next.'

Jarvis is hoping Rakti doesn´t boil over before the expected crowd of 70,000 on Sunday. 'He handled it well last year so we have reason enough to be confident that he can do it again,' he said.

The top Japanese three-year-old filly, Dance In The Mood famliarised herself with the turf track and new covered parade ring. Workrider Naruhito Kasai said: 'She is a smart filly, very switched on. Everything is on order for Sunday.'

Local trainer David Hayes was also upbeat about the prospects of his two Cup runners ? Elegant Fashion and Ain´t Here.

Hayes is certainly not conceding to last year´s runner-up and likely favorite Rakti. When asked whether his chances were greater if Rakti had a bad day, Hayes said: 'Well he had a good day last year and he only just beat Elegant Fashion who made her run too soon, so I´m confident we´re competitive with him,' he said.

Hayes feels many people, especially his fellow Australians, are inclined to underrate the mare.

'I firmly believe she should have been placed in the Cox Plate where she had no luck. She then backed up a week a later in the Mackinnon (Stakes) and ran the fastest late sectionals but she had just settled too far back in that leader-dominated race.

'I thought she was going really well and she franked that opinion when she came home and ran a terrific race, joining in late in the International Mile Trial,' he said.

The much-improved Ain´t Here also represents Hayes in the Cup, who said: 'There´s plenty to like about a horse that - on the bridle - almost ran a course record [2 min 1 sec] last start. He ran the second fast 2000m ever run at Sha Tin and some pretty good horses have competed over that trip here,' Hayes.

Raceday jockey Danny Nikolic this morning partnered Fields Of Omagh on the track for the first time this week and was delighted with the outcome.

Nikolic also rode Fields Of Omagh in his work immediately before the gelding´s October second in the Cox Plate and reported that the seven-year-old feels 'even better' now. 'If anything he´s a touch sharper than he was then,' Nikolic said.

CATHAY PACIFIC HONG KONG SPRINT (Gr.1-1000m)

Pivotal Point clocked the fastest time of Friday morning under jockey Seb Sanders, finishing the last 400m in 21.5 sec. 'He was never out of second gear,' the rider said afterwards, 'he felt really good.'

Trainer Peter Makin remarked: 'Seb was very pleased and so am I. The horse is very well and I am pleased to be drawn one on Sunday, especially alongside Calstone Light O. I understand that the Japanese plan to jump quickly and run smoothly in the lead. This will suit us as Pivotal Point will like to lie in his slipstream and get a good fast tow from him'

Royal Millennium had a blow on the grass with his regular work rider, Steve Sweet. He strode out perfectly happily and his travelling head lad, Andy Larkin, said: 'He seems perfectly happy and his trainer (Mick Channon) was quite satisfied with his middle draw (8). We can choose which side the speediest will be.'

Some track work watchers were surprised at the style of work produced by British sprinter, The Tatling.

Veteran trainer Milton Bradley has been very individual in the preparation of his horse this week - this morning was the first time The Tatling had been out on the track away from the trotting ring. Bradley is a master trainer of sprinters in the UK and he feels he learnt a lot from his experience here in Hong Kong last year.

'I´ve learnt to do my own thing. I got drawn into what everyone else was doing with their horses last year and I behaved like a farmer: you know, when one starts cutting his hay the others follow suit, even it looks like it´s going to rain!'

'My horse arrived in Hong Kong fit, he has just needed to be kept fresh this week and today´s blow out was perfect, he flew, I was really pleased with what I saw.'

Bradley´s theory is very much that the racecourse is when the horses should impress not in their work.

'We´re running in the afternoon for money and in the morning for nothing! My father always said ´short and sharp, long and slow´. With a sprinter you need to get the horse to jump and run to make him sharp. I don´t want them to jump off, hack and slowly quicken, that´s not what he´s got to do on Sunday, I want him to jump out and be travelling.

'Today we took him to the Sprint start, jumped off and flew for four hundred metres, it took a while to pull up but he finished thinking ´Oooh I could do more´'

Liz Batchelor rode The Tatling this morning as she did in the build up to Royal Ascot and reported him spot on and as good as he was before his victory in the King´s Stand when he beat Hong Kong runner, Cape Of Good Hope.

Japanese runner Sunningdale, third in the JpnGr.1 JBC Sprint on his last start, was just walking on the trotting ring with his horse rug and transport bandages on, and went to the new paddock to familiarize it.

'He is ready for Sunday. He has eaten up very well and is in good form. I am very pleased. His draw in 4 is a good position. He will stalk the leaders'

Japan´s other CXHK Sprint raider, Calstone Light O cantered and was in good form, said trainer Hiroyuki Oneda. 'We have done all we can do for Sunday. I hope he can jump up from the start sharply and lead the race on the rail.'

CATHAY PACIFIC HONG KONG MILE (Gr.1-1600m)

Godolphin´s CXHK Mile runner Firebreak performed a three-quarters speed turf gallop, leading stable companions Sights On Gold (CXHK Vase) and Ancient World (CXHK Cup). Travelling head lad Sam Avis said of the trio: 'That went well. It was just a little pipe opener. We will find out if they are good enough on Sunday'

Leading CXHK Mile contender Durandal had an easy time of things Friday morning, as did Telegnosis the other Mile hope from Japan.

Martillo galloped 400m on the dirt in 23.6 sec, while fellow German hope Eagle Rise went a more sedate 26.5 sec.

Three of the seven-strong local contingent for the Mile breezed on the sand: Oriental Magic, Scintillation and Figures. No problems were reported.

CATHAY PACIFIC HONG KONG VASE

The Gr.1 Prix Vermeille winner, Sweet Stream looked well on the dirt track, pleasing connections after a scare earlier this week.

'She was a bit tied-up on Tueday and that was a worry. But she has come out of it pretty well. She was fresh today and worked freely,' said Barry Irwin from owners, Team Valor.

Sweet Stream´s best form is on wet tracks but the quicker going at Sha Tin does not trouble Irwin. 'For Sweet Stream it´s more the time of the year that´s important rather than the ground. She handles fast going fine but she really comes into her own towards the end of the year,' he said.

The possibility of a slowly run Vase is more a concern, however. 'She will settle towards the rear and is the type that needs to be shoved along with 1000m and 1200m to race. I hope there is some pace on.'

In a quiet work morning for Vase contenders, her compatriot Polish Summer performed his usual canter on the dirt and Sights On Gold breezed on the turf.

Andrew Balding put the finishing touches to Phoenix Reach´s programme. The horse did a gentle breeze on the all-weather track and was then taken for a paddock test, which passed without a hitch.