Hong Kong They Said It

"She is relaxed off the track but very focused on it, which is what you

want."

—trainer Alain de

Royer-Dupre on the lightly-raced ASHALANDA (Linamix), who will face older males

in the Cup

"He feels good. Just had an easy time on the grass this morning. I think he

likes the surface. People have asked me about him going right-handed, but I don't

think it's a problem, as every piece of work he has had since England has been

going that way."

—trainer Danny Morton

on Australian Horse of the Year SCENIC BLAST (Scenic [Ire[), a threat in

Sunday's Hong Kong Sprint (HK-G1)

"He's doing so well we're giving him an early feed in the morning, then walking

him for some time before we get him onto the track. He just keeps bouncing. As

for the draw in 14, I've told Nick (Hall, his jockey) to ride him the same way as he

has been in Melbourne, and that's quietly."

—trainer

Grahame Begg on Sprint contender ALL SILENT (Belong to Me), who is thriving in

Hong Kong

"He's in pretty good shape. Interestingly, we weighed him this morning and he

was 538 kilos, which is exactly the same weight as he was on International Day

last year. And when he won five in a row at home he was in the 538 to 540 kilo

weight range every time. He's put on a couple of kilos in the past few days,

which I think is a very good sign."

—trainer

Greg Eurell sizes up APACHE CAT (Lion Cavern) in advance of the Sprint

"The horse has been great this week. He is not tucked up, which is a really good

sign for this horse. I'd love him to have been just a little more relaxed, as he

has been a bit hyped-up every morning, but maybe that's just because he's

feeling good. Everybody expects he might go too hard on the speed, but he can

come back to the rider. He's just a naturally fast horse."

—trainer

Brian Koriner on Sprint threat CALIFORNIA FLAG (Avenue of Flags)

"I'm happy with that -- he's as ready as I can get him. Maybe it's to

his advantage that his season started late in mid-July as he's a fresh horse.

Still, whether he's good enough in this exalted company, we'll find out on

Sunday."

—trainer James Eustace

on Sprint contender WAR ARTIST (Orpen), who posted a very nice work on turf

Friday

"He has arrived very well in Hong Kong, and I was pleased with that piece of

work. I think he has a good chance on Sunday. This has been the plan with him

for some time. I think he will like the track and he is still relatively fresh,

as this is just his fifth start of the year."  

—trainer

Sir Michael Stoute

sounds a note of confidence in SPANISH MOON (El Prado [Ire]) for Sunday's Hong

Kong Vase (HK-G1)

"This will be the first time he wears blinkers, and we are hoping it will help

him concentrate. His work leading up has been good, and I am happy with his

condition."

—trainer Noriyuki Hori

on a change of equipment for JAGUAR MAIL (Jungle Pocket) in the Vase

"He did very well. I thought he needed a good piece of work, as (assistant

trainer) Jean-Jacques (Poincelet) told me Cirrus was a bit fresh, and this should

get him to relax a bit."

—trainer Corine

Barande-Barbe on Vase entrant CIRRUS DES AIGLES (Even Top [Ire]), who is still

eager after 16 races in 2009

"He worked well there, with his ears pricked and pointing his toe. He's a lot

better here this time than last year (when 10th in the Mile). He's a very colty horse and just got too

worked up, but he's much more laid back this time. He's an eight-time Group

winner, so there's no doubting his class." 

—traveling head lad

Jamie Linwood on the globetrotter PRESSING (Ire) (Soviet Star), who is taking a

second crack at the Mile

"Delighted with the way he worked. He even tried to buck me off down the far

side, which really just shows how well he is." 

—jockey Neil Callan

finds that Pressing is in tip-top shape