Cirrus des Aigles under late injury cloud

Cirrus des Aigles, a leading contender in Sunday's Group 1 Hong Kong Cup, is

in danger of missing the race after being found "moderately lame in the left

front foot" Saturday, according to the Club's Veterinary Regulation Department.

France's superstar gelding had to be scratched from this same race in 2012,

and trainer Corine Barande-Barbe is hopeful that history won't repeat itself.

She indicated that the problem was likely due to his shoeing, and that the

veteran appeared better after a shoe change.

"We've changed his shoe and tonight (Hong Kong time) he was trotting fine

when the blacksmith had finished," Barande-Barbe told Racing Post.

"Tomorrow morning he will need to pass the official inspection, but I think

everything will be fine.

"He had a tiny problem at the base of his foot and we obviously had to be

careful with it, but it never looked serious."

Cirrus des Aigles' participation hinges on the Sunday examination, and the

Hong Kong Jockey Club will issue a further press release regarding the decision.

The eight-year-old is seeking his first win at Sha Tin after four losses in past

International Races.

Former two-time Hong Kong Horse of the Year Ambitious Dragon is still

battling a right front foot issue, and he too must pass a Sunday morning exam

before being allowed to try the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile.

Ambitious Dragon was "moderately lame in the right front foot," upon his

Saturday inspection by the Club's Veterinary Regulation Department.

The news was much more positive regarding Australia's threat in the Group 1

Hong Kong Sprint, Buffering, who had an abscess in his right front earlier in

the week. Dr. Peter Curl, the executive manager of veterinary regulation,

declared Saturday that the four-time Group 1 star was fit to race.

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