Westerner works Wednesday for Vase

European champion and French highweight WESTERNER (Danehill), runner-up in

the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1), stretched his legs over the Sha Tin turf

Wednesday morning, clicking off the final quarter-mile of his work in :25.2.

Jockey Olivier Peslier was aboard the Hong Kong Vase (HK-G1) hopeful.

"He felt good today," Peslier said.

Westerner, a multiple Group 1 winner, had a six-race win streak broken when

third in the Grosser Preis von Baden (Ger-G1) in early September prior to his

second in the Arc.

"He has had a nice break after the Arc," trainer Elie Lellouche said. "He is

fresh and fit. His work is done now...he is ready for the race."

The six-year-old, winner of Europe's Cartier Award as champion stayer for

both 2004 and 2005, has won three of his five starts this year, including the

Ascot Gold Cup (Eng-G1) and Prix Vicomtesse Vigier (Fr-G2). He was beaten two

lengths by Hurricane Run (Montjeu [Ire]) in the Arc last out.

In other Hong Kong International news, Multiple Grade 2 winner WILLOW O WISP

(Misnomer) will be wearing ear plugs when he takes to the gate for Sunday's Hong

Kong Cup (HK-G1). The equipment was approved by the Hong Kong Jockey Club for

the first time just last week.

"They are not severe, just some foam," trainer Vladimir Cerin explained. "But

it's important, especially as he will have never raced in front of a crowd as

big as the one Sunday. He'll get excited, that's for sure."

The three-year-old bay has won four of his five starts this year, including

the La Jolla H. (G2) and Cinema Breeders' Cup H. (G3). He has not raced since

his Del Mar Derby score on September 5, but Cerin is confident of a good

performance.

"He is carrying a lot of flesh and looks great," he said. "We'll only know

for sure how good he is racing right-handed on Sunday, but the signs are good so

far."