Falvelon's trainer Dan Bougoure was not unhappy to draw one even though he had hoped for a middle gate. "The race is early so you would think there'd be nothing wrong with the ground inside early in the day and we've got the right jockey in Damien Oliver. The horses do tend to fan across the track at the finish of this race so a run should come for him," Bougoure said.

Falvelon has won the race from barriers four and five in the past two years.

Anabatik, from gate three, may well be the early leader with Shonan Kampf and Cape Of Good Hope - from ten and nine respectively - hustling forward.

Trainer's wife Alex Greeves said of British hope Continent "He's inclined to miss the break, there is speed all over so he should get a decent lead and will be doing his best work at the end."

The Japanese sprinter Shonan Kampf will start from gate ten.  Owner Tetsuhide Kunimoto commented, "The tenth position is what I wanted to have, so I am very lucky."

HONG KONG VASE

International challengers drew well in the Vase with the possible exception of Guadalupe who was posted out wide in 13. Trainer Peter Schiergen said:  "Provided there is plenty of pace it shouldn't matter."

French hope Ange Gabriel drew four.   "We are satisfied with the draw. The number is perfect. We would like a lead but if we don't get one we will be happy to make the pace. It helps that we have a very good horse on our outside", remarked trainer Eric Libaud.

Hong Kong trainer Ivan Allan drew two extremes with Cheers Hong Kong in post-position 1 and veteran Indigenous in stall 14. "In the Vase I don't think the draw matters too much," he said. Nonetheless a huge groan echoed around the auditorium when the computer fed draw spat out the number 14 for the local hero Indigenous.

Anticipated Vase leader Idol drew favourably in three while jockeys Dwayne Dunn and Christophe Soumillon  pressed the buttons which determined the draw for their mounts with a pleasing outcome. Dunn came up with two for Caracoler while Soumillon's mount Polish Summer will jump from six.

HONG KONG MILE

The mile draw saw local champion Electronic Unicorn land the coveted one gate while Australian visitor Scenic Peak was at the other end of the spectrum in 13.

However, post positions are not necessarily that critical from the Sha Tin 1600 metres start with a long run to the first and only turn on the 'mile' course.

Eletronic Unicorn will settle off the speed and the one gate is no particular plus for him. Scenic Peak can be ridden forward or back and his owner Daryl Steinback said he was not perturbed by the outside gate. 'He does like galloping room in his races. I'd prefer him out be out there rather then getting cluttered up on the fence,' Steinback said.

Top class Japanese contender Admire Cozzene is a potential leader from barrier two while the other fancied Japanese runner Tokai Point begins from six. "It is not too outside nor too inside, so that is the good draw, we think," said Tokai Point's groom Mr. Otake, "Actually we do not care about the gate position, the only best thing is that our horse is in a great condition and he can act well from anywhere."

Cayoke's owner Michael House said: "the post position doesn't really matter to us. We're more concerned with the quality of the ground. He wants it firm and he should get that here.'

Willie Haggas, trainer of Dupont, observed that "it doesn't matter where you draw...if you go fast enough you can win....better out in nine where there's a bit of space."

HONG KONG CUP

The Cup is run over the 2000 metres course where the first bend looms quickly and gate speed and/or a favourable inside draw is often advantageous.

German representative Paolini has drawn gate one. 'I'm delighted with the draw. We're very lucky with post one but I hope I haven't used up all my luck before the race,' said trainer Andreas Wohler.

Grandera is drawn eight with Eishin Preston outside him in nine. Both horses are suited with the room to stretch out. "I have to say I am very happy with all my horses and all the barrier positions they have drawn,' said Saeed bin Suroor who prepares Grandera.

David Elsworth, trainer of Indian Creek who drew 11, said: "Better there than to be drawn one, two or three. Better to be drawn wide with a hold up horse."

American hope Sarafan is drawn six which is probably ideal for a horse likely to take a sit third or fourth behind the speed. "We're very happy. We'll drop him in just off the speed so stall six is ideal,' said handler Robert Guest.

Eishin Preston's assistant trainer Mr. Fujiwara said: "The ninth position is good because we can watch Sarafan and Grandera inside us. This is ideal and our jockey Yuichi Fukunaga wanted to draw a middle position."

Media Release - HKIR

Dano-Mast, who will become the first Danish horse to race in Hong Kong on Sunday when he lines up in the Hong Kong Cup, worked this morning on the turf under big race jockey Gerald Mosse. "It is the first time I have touched him but I am happy. He is a very good-looking horse, a nice gentleman. I felt I could do anything with." Dano-Mast clocked 23.8 for the final 400m and Mosse added: "He made a little noise in his wind in the slow paces but when you turn the engine on and wind him up, he cruises silently. His form may not look as good as some of the others but he is tough and consistent.

Dano-Mast's trainer Flemming Poulsen also seemed happy with the preparations. "He took two days to get over the journey, he didn't lose weight but he was very quiet. He is back to himself and I am happy. He won't do any more fast work for the rest of the week, he is ready."

Likely big race favourite Grandera, who holds an unassailable lead in this season's World Racing Series Championship, did a light canter under regular work rider John Phelan. Atlantis Prince, who has been his travelling partner throughout his trip to Australia was accompanying him again. "He will have a blow, nothing spectacular, on Thursday or Friday", reported travelling head lad Sam Avis. "He is fit and ready to do his job".

British raider Ulundi was not seen out on the track this morning. Speaking on the phone from the UK, trainer Paul Webber reported that all was not 100% with the gelding. "He didn't travel well, and he had a bit of a temperature yesterday morning, but it had come down by last night. We will just have take it day by day."

Macau's Royal Treasure had a gentle workout on the all-weather under big race jockey Christophe Soumillon. Chan Yat-chiu, assistant to trainer Alan Tam Man-chau, said the horse had shipped from across the Pearl Delta on Monday without incident. "I will speak to Mr Tam later about Royal Treasure's work for the rest of the week but our horse is very fit anyway. I think we just want to give him one go on the turf so he can get used to it." 

Jockey Andreas Suboric, riding Germany's Cup contender, Paolini, said the horse "might get a little piece of work on Thursday, but nothing aggressive; everything's the right way with him, and I think he'll do well on Sunday."

Suborics hopes Paolini draws a barrier position "somewhere on the inside or in the middle of the field," he said. "In the Hong Kong Vase, which is a 2400-metre race, it doesn't matter that much, because you go two furlongs before reaching the first turn. But in the (2000m) Cup, that first turn comes upon you much more quickly, and the nearer the inside you are at the start, the better off you'll be."

Sarafan, who will represent the United States in the Cup, worked in tandem on the Sha Tin turf course with Vase runner Guadalupe this morning, before quickening stride to half-speed with exercise rider Robert Guest aboard. The five-year-old son of Lear Fan looked smart and strong, as he has since arriving at Sha Tin on November 29.

Indian Creek, trained by British maestro, David Elsworth, did a steady canter on the all-weather gallop today. His head lad and travelling work rider, Peter Maughan, said, "I was happy the way he travelled, although it still took a bit out of him, and he took a little time to get back to eating properly. He was a little free this morning and I know David would like to work him on the grass later in the week."

The Japanese super star Eishin Preston, seeking a third Gr.1 title in Hong Kong in 12 months, cantered easily for a lap and had a steady canter for another lap over the all-weather circuit under his assistant trainer Kazuo Fujisawa. "He is really eating up well. He likes it here," said his groom Masaru Takasaka watching his horse. Eishin Preston will do a fast breeze on Thursday, and Takasaka commented: "I think you will see him do really good sectionals on Thursday, just as he did in in April when he came here and won the Gr.1 Audemars Piguet QEII Cup."

Peter Chapple-Hyam said of home-based Cup hope, Cellini: "He worked well under Douglas Whyte at weekend and the plan is that he will do the same again tomorrow. He's in great spirits but he is going to find it very tough against the international horses."

The last time Michael Kinane rode David Oughton's Precision was to finish second in the Hong Kong Derby last March and the pair were reunited in a sharpish piece of work this morning which was rounded off in 23 sec. Ivan Allan's pair of Come See You and Housemaster had an easy time of it this morning with the same applying to the Brian Kan-trained Red Pepper. Trainer John Size was another guided a home Cup runner in Dr More through a light workout. All are fit and raring to go. 

Hong Kong Mile (Gr.1-1600m)

Australia's Mile contender Scenic Peak joined his regular companion Falvelon in light work this morning. Both horses were led through several laps of walking the trotting ring before stretching out a little more vigorously on the dirt.

The work is consistent with trainer Dan Bougoure's conviction that the horses must be fit and ready to win on arrival in Hong Kong. "I think it's just a case of keeping them ticking over once they get here," Bougoure said.

Scenic Peak, a Gr.1 winner in Australia on his latest start, was a bargain buy at just Aus$26,000 and has continued to improve with racing to the point where he now justifiably takes his place on the international stage.

"The big track here at Sha Tin is going to suit him and going right-handed is also a plus," Bougoure said, "as to whether he relishes the surface...well we really won't know for sure until after Sunday's race but it shouldn't be a problem provided it's not rain affected."

Bougoure said that Scenic Peak had taken time to mature. "He's really only coming to his peak now as a five-year-old. It's fair to say he's been a high maintenance horse with a mind of his own but when he's on song he is very, very good," he said.

Japanese trainer Mitsuru Hashida's, six-year-old horse Admire Cozzene did not appear on the all-weather track this morning and only jogged and cantered gently around the trotting ring under assistant trainer Yuta Komiyama. 

He was very excited this morning, and Komiyama said: "My horse will have a fast breeze on Thursday, but that should be the only time for him to go to the main track. Otherwise I will give him an easy work-out for the rest of the days."

The other Japanese Mile runner, Tokai Point, a six-year-old gelding that beat Eishin Preston in the JpnGr.1 Mile Championship last month, cantered steadily for one lap around the all-weather track under assistant trainer Tomohiro Sato, finishing in 27.3 sec. 

His groom, Mr. Otake commented: "He is very relaxed. He will be driven over the turf course tomorrow morning, and I think my horse demonstrated that he is in good form today. The track at Sha Tin should suit him."

Amanda Perrett was at the track, but confined her Tillerman to the trotting ring in stables. "He's doing well and putting the weight back on that he lost on the flight. He'll come out for a look around the track tomorrow, but he won't do any work between now and the race. He's best fresh, and it doesn't matter to him if he doesn't work for ten days before a race," Perrett said.

Dupont was also kept to the trotting ring, but Maureen Haggas, wife of trainer William, was on hand to report him in great heart. "Touch wood, but I can't believe how well he is. I am surprised how happy I am with him. He lost weight on the flight but has put it back on since arriving on Saturday night. He hacked round the trotting ring today and we will have him out on the track tomorrow. His race jockey Darryl Holland will ride him on Thursday. William arrives Wednesday evening."

Godolphin's Noverre did no more than a hack canter and Domedriver, Gateman and Nayyir did not appear this morning. Cayoke was scheduled to arrive late Monday night from the United States.

Runner-up in the Mile for Hong Kong last year, Electronic Unicorn, worked steadily under champion trainer John Size. The reigning Horse of the Year shaped well in a barrier trial last Friday under Robbie Fradd, winning from stable companions Dr More (engaged in the Hong Kong Cup) and Grand Delight (Hong Kong Mile). Size also partnered Grand Delight in a gentle workout on the all-weather. No problems were reported.

Big race jockey Gerald Mosse rode Super Molly, whom David Hayes has trained to win two HKGr.3 events this term over the Sha Tin 1600m, in a gallop that wound up in 26.8 sec. and both felt the horse to be in the same condition that has seen him to such good effect of late.  

Hong Kong Classic Mile and Hong Kong Derby winner Olympic Express, trained by Ivan Allan, strode out well in his work, finishing in a brisk 22.3 seconds for the last 400m.

Hong Kong Vase (Gr.1-2400m)

Assistant to trainer Elie Lellouche, Bernard Ripert, was overseeing the work of Aquarelliste on the all-weather this morning where the triple Gr.l winner went half-speed. "No problems. She looks well and strode out well there, too. Mr Lellouche arrives in Hong Kong tonight and he will guide her preparation from there. I expect she will gallop on the turf later this week," Ripert said.

Rounding off in 24.1 sec, the German filly, Guadalupe, winner of the Oaks d'Italia in May, impressed on the turf under jockey Andreas Suborics alongside Sarafan, the big American hope in the Hong Kong Cup. "She worked well. Very easy on the bridle and I was very happy with the way she went," Suborics said. "She's been very good ever since she got here, she seems to like the racing surface here and I feel very positive about her chances on Sunday." 

Ekraar, runner-up in this race last year, did a steady canter on the all-weather leading Godolphin's Mile candidate, Noverre. "He'll have a blow-out on the turf on Thursday or Friday but he's fit and ready to go," Godolphin's travelling head lad Sam Avis said. 

Eric Libaud was on hand to see Ange Gabriel canter on the all-weather track and he reported his charge to be okay. "He's on good terms with himself and eating everything in sight including people if he gets the chance, which is a good sign."

The Calfornian-based Delta Form was on the all-weather for a canter this morning but looked ready to do more, while, in contrast, the Andre Fabre-trained Polish Summer did no more than a sedate canter ahead of Sunday's assignment. Falcon Flight, the other American runner in the Vase made no show. 

Caracoler, trained by David Hayes, worked on the turf earlier in the morning with a stable companion and showed up well under Dwayne Dunn finishing the final 400m in 22.9 sec. Hayes said he was happy with the effort but said he would have his work cut out to be competitive in such a high-class race.

The Sean Woods pair of Hong Kong Vase aspirants, Idol and Luckswell, are set to follow up on a good blow at the weekend on Wednesday morning. "They are well and fit. If they were to finish in the money, I would be delighted," Woods said.  

One of Ivan Allan's two Vase runners, Cheers Hong Kong, voted HK's Champion Stayer last season, totted and galloped and went 22.9 latterly. Allan's other contender, Indigenous, set for his sixth straight Vase run, did a routine workout.

The other Hong Kong runners Greenmore and Rainbow And Gold were also put through their paces to differing degrees of effort. The former galloped 1200m in 1min 16.1 sec with the having a far easier time of it.

Hong Kong Sprint (Gr.1-1000m)

All Thrills Too, one of Hong Kong's best chances of victory at the meeting, worked on the dirt at three-quarter pace to the satisfaction of his trainer, David Hayes. "He's kept his condition well since his win in the Hong Kong Sprint Trial [on November 24] and he's a better horse than he was last year [when a neck third to Falvelon]. He's very, very well and he'll have another cruise like this morning on Friday," Hayes said.

Hong Kong's trio of Sprint rivals Firebolt, Anabatik and Cape Of Good Hope did fast work. Trained by Ivan Allan, Firebolt's finishing work was swiftest at 22.3 sec under jockey Weichong Marwing. Anabatik went 1200m, wrapping up in 23.3 sec with Michael Cahill in the plate for trainer John Moore.  Cape Of Good Hope, meanwhile, also did 1200m with 23.0 sec the final split. 

Prix de L'Abbaye (Gr.1) and July Cup (Gr.1) winner Continent looked in great form in his light work this morning on the all weather track. Trainer Dandy Nicholls arrived in Hong Kong last night and was seeing his horse out for the first time. "I am very happy with him. He didn't travel that well, he lost some weight and was a bit quiet but he's recovered from that and looks great now - in fact I think he looks better than he did in the summer. He likes a bit of cut in the ground but he won't mind this, he doesn't really mind anything.

"He's not used to this dirt track - he is used to being out in a grass paddock but I am going to turn him out in the sand ring as soon as we get back into the stables. He is a very clean winded horse so we don't have to and won't do a lot with him this week, Darryl [Holland, his race jockey], may have a sit on him tomorrow." This is Nicholls' third shot at winning the Sprint having previously brought both Rudi's Pet and Proud Native in 1999 when they finished 6^th and 11^th respectively.

Australian sprinter Mistegic this morning had what his trainer Lee Curtis described as a "familiarisation" workout on the grass track at Sha Tin. Mistegic was led through several laps of walking the dirt trotting ring before being taken on a 'tour' of the course proper. He cantered around the back straight of Sha Tin, deviated to have a 'look' at the 1000 metres chute and then galloped half to three quarter pace down the home straight.

'That's all I wanted him to do,' said Curtis,' he doesn't take a lot of work and I want him to go into the race pretty fresh.'

Curtis dismissed reports that Mistegic had struggled to recover from his flight to Hong Kong as exaggerated. "Obviously it's stressful for the horse. It's a nine-hour flight with an hour and half at the airport at either end so it is something they have to adjust to.

"But I'm not unhappy with the horse. He looks well. He's probably four or five kilograms below his ideal racing weight which is about 545 kilograms but I'm confident he'll pick up in the next few days,' Curtis said.

The trainer noted that Mistegic, in Australia, had been regularly competitive with the dual HK Sprint winner Falvelon. "At their best, there really isn't much between the two horses," he said.

Meanwhile, it was business as usual for the defending champ, Falvelon. Trainer Dan Bougoure had the contented look of a man who has done all he can as he watched Falvelon being walked around the trotting ring in company with stablemate Scenic Peak.

"I'm happy," Bougoure said, which about says it all as the trainer does not meander from the training path which has prepared Falvelon to win the past two HK Sprints.

Falvelon followed up his routine walking with a breeze around the all-weather. "Everything looks to be going to plan. The horse is very much at home now in Hong Kong," Bougoure said.

One of the very best speed fillies in Japan, Believe is aiming at the first time Japanese victory of the HK Sprint on Sunday.  The four-year-old daughter of Sunday Silence had an easy canter over the all-weather track this morning and walked for a while at the trotting ring after her workout.

"She is more relaxed than yesterday," Masahiro Yoshida, her groom said about his filly. "She will have a fast work-out on Thursday.  The track here suits her."

Another JpnGr.1 winner Shonan Kampf was preparing for what connections hope will be a top performance in the Sprint. The Miho training centre-based four-year-old colt was cantering steadily for two laps over the all-weather track under his assistant trainer Masao Suzuki this morning.

Trainer Yokichi Okubo commented: "He was a little bit excited so we put a hood on him this morning and that seems to be working. "  Okubo added: "It depends on his condition, but I may give him a fast breeze on Thursday."

Texas Glitter, America's Sprint hopeful, took in another lengthy canter on the all-weather surface this morning, appearing on the muscle throughout. His jockey, Edgar Prado, is scheduled to arrive in Hong Kong today."

It was 'steady as she goes' for Italy's Slap Shot and Zipping from France. Agnetha and Malhub made no show.

Media Release - HKIR

On arrival it was noted the horse was suffering from a high temperature and had a nasal discharge which the Veterinary Surgeon said indicated a degree of travel sickness. 

ULUNDI has been treated for these conditions.  There has been some improvement today, however, the horse will continue to be monitored by the Club's veterinary staff and further reports will be issued.

DOMEDRIVER, which was intended to run in the Hong Kong Mile (Group 1) on Sunday, was found this morning to be lame in its right hind leg. 

Mr Pascal Bary, trainer of the horse, has advised this lameness is due to an abscess in the horse's right hind foot.  He has therefore said that as in his opinion this setback is too close to the race to allow DOMEDRIVER to be fully competitive on Sunday, it is neither in the horse's interest nor the public's interest for it to run. 

Accordingly he has decided the horse cannot run on Sunday and is to be withdrawn.

Media Release - HKIR

German runner Paolini pleased his trainer, Andreas Wohler, with some light work. "This is one of the few places in racing that Paolini has yet to race and he has settled in well. We're hopeful he will run well on Sunday.

Wohler added: "He's in good form, and has had a break after his race in Canada, when he was not himself at all for some reason. He blew for a long time after the race, but we couldn't find anything wrong with him. I'll work him on the turf tomorrow, and that will be it. I hope there's some pace in the race, as that is what he needs. I think with luck - and he hasn't had much of that this season - he's capable of running in the first three."

Danish challenger Dano-Mast had a quiet canter on the all-weather track under trainer Flemming Poulsen, while David Elsworth's Indian Creek also had a light canter under regular work rider Peter Maughan ahead of the trainer's arrival tomorrow, when a decision will be made on his final work plans.

Grandera was out for a canter on the all weather track under his regular partner John Phelan. His big race jockey Frankie Dettori, who partnered Godolphin's Hong Kong Vase runner, Ekraar, on the track this morning said: "It's pretty obvious that Grandera has the ability to win this race if he runs to his best form. He loves travelling and enjoys the changes of scenery, it seems to help keep him focused. With him, it's just a question of his mood on the day."

Sarafan, whose trainer Neil Drysdale celebrates his 55^th birthday today, cantered on the all-weather again under regular work rider Robert Guest. A repetition of Sarafan's last run, when narrowly beaten in the Japan Cup by Falbrav, should see the son of Lear Fan in the final shake-up on Sunday. Drysdale is expected to arrive in Hong Kong on Friday.

Royal Treasure, the Macau runner, repeated his steady work on the all-weather although faster work is anticipated under jockey Christophe Soumillon in the next couple of days.

Dr More, trained by John Size, and Peter Chapple-Hyam's Cellini were the only two of the six-strong Hong Kong Cup defence to have good blowouts. Size partnered Dr More to a 23.1 final 400m gallop, while Douglas Whyte was aboard Cellini for a 1200m spin that culminated in a in 23.8 sec burst home. Precision, Housemaster Come See You and Red Pepper performed only light exercise on the all-weather.

Hong Kong Mile (Gr.1-1600m)

Godolphin colt Noverre had a light canter on the all-weather ahead of his final career start on Sunday. He is having a final work out tomorrow.

British hopeful Nayyir did not come out on to the track this morning. Trainer Gerald Butler reported that the horse had not eaten up so he gave him a quiet day.

Maureen Haggas, wife of William Haggas, trainer of Dupont supervised the three -year-old's first appearance on the all-weather and he did only a steady canter in his new surroundings. The horse looked very well and is expected to breeze tomorrow when his trainer will be at Sha Tin.

Fellow British raider Tillerman cantered on the dirt for the first time since arriving under Mark Perrett, trainer Amanda's husband. "He is just going steady today, he is very bright and has taken it all really well," she said. 

Deirdre Johnston, wife of trainer Mark, was overseeing the preparation of another British runner in Gateman. "Yeah, he's great - touch wood. No big plans with him, just keep him ticking over."

Christophe Soumillon, rider of the American runner Cayoke, said he was happy with how he had shaped in an easy workout on the sand. "It's the first time I have ridden that horse since he was a three-year-old and that was in 2000. He felt strong and I think I will be going a little faster on him tomorrow or Friday."

Australian contender Scenic Peak had his final major workout in preparation for Sunday when he galloped strongly on the grass track with race jockey Danny Nikolic aboard. Scenic Peak worked briskly from the 800m with Nikolic only asking him to let down in 23.3 sec over the final stages.

"He basically ran even time before dashing home the last two furlongs on the bridle. He felt sharp...beautiful. In fact he felt really sharp. I can't see any reason why he won't run very well on Sunday," Nikolic said.

Nikolic, the most successful jockey through Melbourne's Spring Carnival where his wins included the Gr.1 Emirates Stakes on Scenic Peak, reported that the horse felt "quite at home" on the Sha Tin surface.

Trainer Dan Bougoure was pleased with Scenic Peak's work, too. 'He's settled in okay here and hopefully he'll be in the mood on Sunday. He is a horse who can sometimes switch off but when his mind's on the job he's hard to beat in whatever you run him in," Bougoure said.

Tokai Point, one of two Japanese Mile hopefuls, did a workout over 1000m on the all-weather under his assistant trainer Tomohiro Sato, completing in 23.3 sec. The Yoshiyuki Goto-trained colt is bidding for consecutive wins following his JpnGr.1 Mile Championship success over Eishin Preston.  "We were excited to win that race. He was a longshot and we did not expect the victory at all," commented Mr Otake, Tokai Point's groom. "He is keeping his condition well and looked good there, " Otake added.

The other Mile runner from Japan, Admire Cozzene, is all set for his final career start. The six-year-old horse disappointed finishing 7^th in the Mile Championship last time out, but his condition appears to be improving. The Mitsuru Hashida-trained horse had an easy jog and canter on the trotting ring this morning under his regular work rider Yuta Komiyama, who said: "He is relaxed and seems to understand that he will be racing soon.  I just let him do as he likes."

Newly installed in the Mile field in place of Domedriver, Jeune King Prawn did a steady gallop. Trainer Ivan Allan has booked Felix Coetzee for the ride on the Danehill five-year-old.

The most searching piece of work was done by Grand Delight under trainer John Size with the final split in 23.9 sec. His stable companion Electronic Unicorn lobbed on the all-weather, as did David Hayes' Super Molly.

HONG KONG VASE (Gr.1-2400m)

France's strong Vase trio of Ange Gabrielle, Aquarelliste and Polish Summer were all out exercising on the all-weather circuit in their build-up to Sunday.

The Eric Libaud-trained Ange Gabriel looked especially well. He will fulfill a year-long plan for his connections when he lines up for the big race. Ever since Henri Devin's Terre A Terre finished third to Agnes Digital in the Hong Kong Cup last December the owner-breeder has had the Vase in mind for his progressive four-year-old this time round.

"His programme this year has been geared with this race in mind," said Devin. "He is very well and I am very hopeful he will do better than Terre A Terre did last year."

Antonia Devin, in whose colours the horse runs, was with her husband to watch Ange Gabriel go through his paces on the all-weather. "He was a bit keen yesterday but is much more relaxed today," she said. "We are very happy with him and he will work tomorrow on the grass, probably with Polish Summer. Thierry Jarnet will ride."

Jarnet took the ride when Ange Gabriel won the Gr.2 Prix de Conseil de Paris in his last outing at Longchamp on October 20. Christophe Soumillon will ride Polish Summer, who was also given light exercise on the all-weather.

Aquarelliste breezed well on the all-weather under his big race jockey, Dominique Boeuf. She was pushed out over the last 400 metres in 23.6sec after which his trainer, Ellie Lellouche, gave his triple Gr.1 winner the thumbs up. Lellouche believes his filly is better later in the year and she looked on good terms with herself.

Godolphin hope, Ekraar, was ridden by Sunday's jockey Frankie Dettori. The Italian superstar landed in HK last night and was in great form following his clean-up at the Japan Cup meeting. "Ekraar just lost out last year, I hope he can go one better this time." Regular work rider Ross Arnott reported Ekraar to be moving really well, "If he is good enough he is certainly well enough. I am very happy with him. He has had a month in Dubai before coming here and flourished in the sun."

Delta Form, the first of the international horses to come out this morning, took a lengthy walk on the grass in the accompaniment of two handlers, then worked over a circuit of the turf track. He quickened up well in the straight from the 400m in 23.8sec under his jockey Goncalino Almeida, striding out nicely.

Falcon Flight had a gentle canter on the inside all weather circuit before going 26.6 sec to wrap up.

It was the first time he had been seen out of the stable complex since he landed late Tuesday night.

German runner Guadalupe stayed in the trotting ring. Her trainer, Peter Schiergan, said: "I was very happy with her work yesterday so she had a day off today. She's in good form."

None of the Hong Kong septet of Cheers Hong Kong, Idol, Indigenous, Rainbow And Gold, Luckswell, Caracoler or Greenmore did any more than routine all weather work.

Hong Kong Sprint (Gr.1-1000m)

Britain's dual Gr.1 winner Continent worked on the all-weather under Sunday's jockey Darryll Holland. The Dandy Nicholls-trained gelding lobbed a circuit before quickening at the 400m and clocking a swift 21.6 sec home. Holland reported: "He feels great, I'm not sure he enjoyed the surface but he was really motoring. That will do him." Nicholls also seemed satisfied: "We will just keep him ticking over now until Sunday, we won't get him better than this."

Italian raider Slap Shot went gently for a circuit with her jockey Frankie Dettori on hand to watch. "Japan was fantastic, it's not ridiculous to think that Italy could do it again. Don't overlook this filly, she can really shift."

Dermot Weld's charge Agnetha cantered this morning behind Cup hopeful Dano-Mast. Keen to get on with her work, she appeared in good heart. Her trainer is due to arrive tomorrow.

The John Gosden trained Malhub stayed in the trotting ring, his trainer was set to arrive later on Wednesday.

When Edgar Prado rides America's Sprint contender Texas Glitter on Sunday, it will be the first time he has ever been aboard the horse. "But I've chased him more than a few times," Prado said. "Jerry Bailey and John Velasquez have both ridden Texas Glitter in races this year, and I've talked to them and they have given me some tips."

Texas Glitter work culminated in an easy 32.4sec under his exercise rider, with Prado watching from the Sha Tin stand. "He has been doing fine without me during his morning exercises, so why change things?" Prado said. "He looks very good."

Under his regular jockey, Damien Oliver, two-time Sprint winner Falvelon looked sharp in a 22.1 final 400m piece of work on the turf.

"He felt good," the jockey reported, "comparable to the past couple of years. If anything he's probably even more relaxed this year now that he's so accustomed to being here.

"He's a pretty foolproof racehorse really. He doesn't do much wrong when it comes to raceday and this morning he did as much as he had to. He skipped home the last two [furlongs] under a nice hold. Everything seems to be going to plan again with him," he said.

"I think we've again got the right horse here," said Falvelon's trainer Dan Bougoure.

At tomorrow's barrier draw, Bougoure is hoping to get "the five, six or seven spot," he said, "because the middle of the course is where it's best at Sha Tin."

Australia's second Sprint representative Mistegic had light work on the dirt training track this morning with track rider Troy Phillips aboard.

Mistegic will race in blinkers on Sunday. 'He wore them earlier in his career and performed well with them on. I just think it might sharpen him up with the shades back on. Perhaps find him a half length and that could be crucial as I doubt there will be a huge margin between any of these sprinters,' said trainer Lee Curtis.

Curtis is hopeful rather than confident going into Sunday's race. 'This is a learning experience for all of us and I don't think we'll really know how well he's coped with this adventure until after the race. If he can finish in the first four or five, I'll be very happy," he said.

The Japanese filly Believe was on the all weather for a canter. According to her assistant trainer, Hiroshi Sakai, "Her weight is 467kgs (1027.4 lbs) at the moment, and that is a little less than her best weight, but she is eating up very well, so I'm not that worried."

Trained by Yokichi Okubo, Shonan Kampf cantered for two laps on the sand.  Okubo said: "This is my second time in Hong Kong. Last year in this race it was terrible finishing 13^th with Mejiro Darling.   I do not want this to happen again. The owner and I have had this race in mind since winning the (JpnGr.1) Takamatsunomiya Kinen in March.  I think the cushion in the track will suit Shonan Kampf and his condition in winter is better than summer - that was the biggest reason for his being beaten in the Sprinters Stakes in September.   However, he looks he is in a good form now. I'm just relying on his jockey in the race."

France's Hong Kong Sprint hope Zipping, trained by Robert Collet had a light canter on the all weather track. His head lad reported the three-year-old son of Zafonic to be in the same sort of form that he was in prior to his 3^rd place finish when narrowly beaten in the Prix de L'Abbaye in October. Jean Laugere, head lad to Collet, said a repeat of that performance would give him colt a chance at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Nothing strenuous was done with the strong looking Hong Kong team of All Thrills Too, Anabatik, Cape Of Good Hope or Firebolt.

Media Release - HKIR