@hkjc Head hopes the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile is not a Moonlight farewell, but it might be

Sha Tin racecourse was a project in a state of conceptual development when Freddy Head first visited Hong Kong to compete alongside fellow riding greats Lester Piggott and Pat Eddery in the international jockeys' challenge. Those days are the stuff of legend among local race fans and on Sunday, Head hopes his star mare Moonlight Cloud will etch her own name in Hong Kong racing folklore with victory in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile, a race that he hopes will not be her swansong.

 

"Her future depends on Sunday," said Head, after watching his Hong Kong Mile favourite stretch out over on the Sha Tin all-weather track this morning.

"This track had not been built the first time I came to ride over here, some 30 or 40 years ago," said Head, clearly amused at the thought. "We were touring the southern hemisphere with the likes of Piggott and Eddery. Happy Valley is not what it stands for now. It was only a minor track to us back then, but it was good fun too. Today, Hong Kong racing is competing in an altogether different league!"

A six-times French champion jockey in his day, Head admitted that he is very excited to return to Happy Valley on Wednesday night, to witness the LONGINES International Jockeys' Championship, but moreover is he anticipating his five-year-old super mare Moonlight Cloud's tilt at the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile on Sunday on Sha Tin's turf.

"This could be her last race," remarked the trainer, who also oversaw the career of another great mare, the triple Breeders' Cup Mile heroine Goldikova. "Her future hangs on Sunday's race. As a trainer, I'd love to have her another season but the decision is up to George Strawbridge, who bred and owns her. He's a sportsman but the mare will be six years old soon and as a breeder, surely he can't wait to take her to stud. You don't want her to race one time too many. It is the kind of thing that you cannot really anticipate. One day, they lose it, the will to win. Moonlight Cloud has had an easier career than Goldikova though. She never had to compete with the likes of Zarkava, so who knows?"

Moonlight Cloud has dazzled European racing with some sensational performances that have earned her six Group 1 wins, and none has been more impressive than her most recent, a surging last-to-first demolition of her rivals in the G1 Prix de la Foret (1400m) at Longchamp in October. She also has two notable defeats on her record, an arguably unlucky head second to the great Black Caviar in the G1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes in 2012 and her lacklustre eighth when fancied for that year's G1 Breeders' Cup Mile, her only previous venture outside of Europe.

In the wake of that Breeders' Cup Mile disappointment in California, Head and Strawbridge decided some time ago that Hong Kong in December was the ideal fit for the Invincible Spirit mare, who is aiming to go unbeaten in five races this term. On the form book, she will be hard to beat.

"George Strawbridge decided to send her here rather than another tilt at the Breeders' Cup because he figured she would be better off on this racecourse," said Head. "The mare has developed year after year since she arrived at my yard but never as much as last winter oddly enough. She has become stronger but wiser too and she's much easier to deal with nowadays."

Head was pleased this morning with his first view of his stable star since arriving in Hong Kong.

"I liked her piece of work this morning over the dirt track, which rode a bit softer than the previous days, according to the mare's rider, Philippe Coppin. Moonlight Cloud was very cautious, but she gave me the impression that she's at her best for Sunday's race. I don't think that she will have to gallop over the turf this week. She's good. I hope that she won't let us down on Sunday."

LONGINES Hong Kong International Races Wednesday track notes

Lord Kanaloa upped the ante at Sha Tin this morning with an impressive gallop on the grass, while Britain's multiple G1 winner Sky Lantern emerged from the quarantine stables for the first time since her arrival on Saturday.

LONGINES Hong Kong Vase

ASUKA KURICHAN (JPN)

Did a half gallop on the all-weather under jockey Takuma Ogino attending the team as a work rider.

Trainer Naosuke Sugai said: "He worked vigorously before he left Japan and I felt the turf at Sha Tin was a bit fast even with some watering. So I gave him work with a half gallop on the all-weather. It was a much better performance than I expected."

Jockey and exercise rider Ogino said: "He is getting very relaxed and has been settled every day. Everything has been under control so far. He is six now but has progressed physically and is stronger now compared to this summer. I think it was a good gallop."

DUNADEN (FR)

Mikel Delzangles, trainer, said: "He lost a shoe in the Japan Cup and we found it on the bend but we could not figure out whether he lost it during the race or after. Anyway his hoof remained a little warm until his arrival here and the blacksmith has done a good job fixing it. Dunaden is as good as ever now. He knows his routine nowadays so there's nothing we will change and I hope he will do well on Sunday. We had planned to keep him in Japan for the Arima Kinen (on 22 December) but as it happened, he would have had to stay on his own for a month. He would have hated it and we opted for another visit to Hong Kong. He knows his whereabouts here and found some of his usual travelling mates. It's only two weeks between runs which is tight but the horse looks to be happy and fresh. The trick is just to keep him happy."

EBIYZA (FR)

Alain de Royer Dupre, trainer, said: "I decided to switch her to the turf this morning because I found her in pretty good shape and I wanted her to experience the course before the race day. It is always good to have a first impression beforehand. The point was not to give her a good gallop but rather some kind of stroll. We decided to come to Hong Kong with her after her unfortunate trip in the Prix Royal-Oak last time out. In any case she is a late developer and she has been improving all season. She's only three years old but the weight for age is very much in her favour. She gets 9lbs from Red Cadeaux and that's always nice. Daryakana was also three when she won here (2009 HK Vase). They are different fillies though. Ebiyza has got a long acceleration but she can be outpaced while Daryakana was a fast closer."

MOUNT ATHOS (GB)

Luca Cumani's Vase hopeful continues to impress all observers at Sha Tin and this morning continued his usual routine of a light workout and further paddock familiarisation.

Charlie Henson, assistant trainer, confirmed the view of most onlookers when he said: "He does look fantastic. I'm very pleased with him."

NYMPHEA (GER)

Nymphea stretched her legs on the all-weather track this morning and had a 1000m cruise.

Trainer Peter Schiergen said: "Both horses (Nymphea and Neatico) looked good today. They have travelled well and I'm happy with them. Both horses need good ground. Nymphea didn't handle the soft conditions when she failed last time at Ascot."

RED CADEAUX (GB)

Went 1200m on the turf, clocking 1m 21.1s, going 25.0s for the final 400m.

Travelling head lad Robin Trevor-Jones said: "Everything is falling into place. He had a nice blow today, and he's where we want him to be. We just need to find some pace in the race otherwise The Fugue might just be too quick for all of us in the straight."

Like yesterday, big-race jockey Gerald Mosse was watching eagerly from the sidelines and commented: "This horse keeps on amazing us, and from what I have seen this week there is absolutely nothing bad to say about his current wellbeing."

LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint

CHARLES THE GREAT (HK)

Trainer John Moore said: "He's been a bit of a surprise packet this season, winning that Group 2 the other day. He still might be open to some improvement. He'll have his last gallop on the turf down the back there tomorrow, along with Sterling City."

FREDERICK ENGELS (HK)

Trainer John Moore said: "His preparation has been good, he's just not had the luck with the gates in his races. If he draws a good one for Sunday he's a very good each-way chance - he's the best of mine. He'll have his last gallop tomorrow on the dirt."

JWALA (GB)

The filly appeared on the track and did light exercise on the all-weather.

Trainer Robert Cowell said: "She's settled in well and it's great to be here to take part in this wonderful meeting. She gets in well with the fillies allowance and hopefully she can run her race. Her form's been good at home. I know she was big odds when she won the Nunthorpe but it was no surprise to us as she's always shown us that sort of ability.

"I am happy with her right now, she has travelled well, and will like the track and the ground here. The conditions were all against her at Longchamp last time, but she still ran well before the others ran her down in the last half furlong. I think she'll be right there in the mix on Sunday at the furlong pole, but it's a question of whether she sees out the final 200m."

LORD KANALOA (JPN)

Galloped 1200m on turf in 1m19.6s (splits: 30.1, 28.0, 21.5).

Assistant trainer Shogo Yasuda said: "It was just like his usual gallop and I am happy with that today. Actually I tried to relax him in the gallop but as it was his second time in Hong Kong and he is used to this environment, I felt he still needed more spirit.  So I drove him a bit strongly at the end of the stretch run. He is in top form physically, so I will try to raise him mentally in the following three days."

SLADE POWER (IRE) & SOLE POWER (IRE)

Both were out on the all-weather track. Sole Power took things easy and Slade Power was clocked at 56.6s (splits: 29.6, 27.0) for a steady 800m spin.

Trainer Edward Lynam said: "Both horses seem settled and bright enough. I'm not worried about the ground. This track is superb and I doubt the ground will be an issue for my horses or any horse for that matter."

Lynam said that the barrier draw was likely to be significant. "Slade Power can be on top of the speed so a good gate would be ideal. Sole Power will be closing late so at least we have something of a two-pronged chance."

STERLING CITY (HK)

Trainer John Moore said: "I've wanted to keep him on the fresh side and he's done everything right heading into this. His work's been very good and has a good each-way chance. He'll have his final sprint-up on the grass tomorrow - they'll go down the back from the 1800m start."

LONGINES Hong Kong Mile

GORDON LORD BYRON (GB)

Went a quick canter on the all-weather track.

Assistant trainer Eddie Power was pleased and said: "He seems in good shape and is a bit stronger than he was a year ago."

MOONLIGHT CLOUD (FR)

The French mare worked on the all-weather, covering 800m in an easy 57.8s (splits; 29.9, 27.9)

Trainer Freddy Head said: "I liked her piece of work this morning over the dirt track, which rode a bit softer than the previous days, according to the mare's rider, Philippe Coppin."

SKY LANTERN (GB)

The filly made her first appearance on the track today, and attracted a mass of media attention.

Assistant trainer Richard Hannon jr said: "She was a bit quiet when she arrived at the weekend, but she is fine now and is eating and drinking plenty. We're just giving her a quiet canter today."

LONGINES Hong Kong Cup

GRANDEUR (GB)

Grandeur's last overseas foray was to the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita at the end of October, when travel sickness ruled out the horse from his intended participation in the Breeders' Cup Turf. The gelding, who arrived in Hong Kong on Monday, has had no such issues on this trip, and was out for a light canter on the all weather track.

Trainer Jeremy Noseda said: "Happily everything has gone well this time around. I think he was just unlucky last time, sometime these things just happen. But if we had run him then, we probably wouldn't be here now. I am happy with the way he is, and he won't do much between now and the race. I might just put him on the turf on Friday and let him have a blow for about a furlong."

NEATICO (GER)

Under race day jockey Andrasch Starke, Neatico was not pushed early in a 1200m workout in 1m 19.1s but he did skip home the last 400 metres in a brisk 22 seconds flat (splits: 29.1, 28.0, 22.0).

Trainer Peter Schiergen said: "Neatico looked good today. He travelled well and I'm happy with him. Both my horses need good ground - Neatico has won four races on good ground this year."

SIDE GLANCE (GB)

Leanne Masterson, travelling head lass for trainer Andrew Balding: "He stayed in the trotting ring today as planned. Mr Balding arrives here tomorrow and the plan is to work him on the grass."

TOKEI HALO (JPN)

Breezed 1200m on the turf track under Yutaka Take in 1m 26.4s (splits: 32.4, 29.5, 24.5)

Trainer Hisashi Shimizu said: "As I saw him at the stable this morning, I had an impression that he was very fit and settled. He did not have any problem with his first time getting on the airplane because he did a lot of travelling back home. Today, I expected the time would be quicker on the turf, and I wanted to see how he would handle galloping on the course. The type of turf covered at Sha Tin is not as similar to the Bermuda grass (at home) as I had expected, but I have no worries. I would like to draw an inner gate tomorrow for his tactics."

Jockey Yutaka Take said: "He settled very well - he wasn't too relaxed and he wasn't too tense, he was just how we would want him. He keeps good form and hopefully he can be set for Sunday with this good condition."

The Stewart Family sponsor for third year in succession at @CheltenhamRaces

Cheltenham Racecourse today announces sponsorship by the Stewart Family for the third year in succession of the £100,000 December Gold Cup on Saturday, December 14, the second day of The International.

The handicap chase will be named the Stewart Family Thank You Gold Cup this year, following runnings as the Paul Stewart IronSpine Charity Challenge Gold Cup (2012) and the Spinal Research The Atlantic 4 Gold Cup (2011).

The Stewart Family Thank You Gold Cup, which has been in existence since 1963 and is run over two miles and five furlongs, witnessed a rare defeat for the mighty Arkle in its second running and has been won twice by Poquelin, owned by the Stewart Family, in recent years (2009 & 2010).

The race continues to be sponsored by that family, headed by Andy Stewart, the well-known businessman and racehorse owner, most famously represented by Big Buck's, the best long distance hurdler of all time. The family first sponsored the race to raise the profile of Spinal Research in 2011. The trophy for the race will be presented by Bruce Stewart, brother-in-law of Andy Stewart and uncle of Paul.

One of Andy's sons, Paul, suffered a severe spinal injury in a snowboarding accident in December, 2008, and was paralysed from the waist down. He was told initially by doctors that he would never walk again, but has proved them wrong.

Paul Stewart embarked on a remarkable challenge in August this year, covering the full Ironman triathlon distance to raise money for research into spinal injury.

The Paul Stewart IronSpine Charity Challenge consisted of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile cycle ride, a 26.2-mile walk and culminated in climbing the same Alpine mountain where his injury was incurred.

He accomplished all the challenges and has raised £410,000 so far for the charities Spinal Research and Wings For Life.

Paul Stewart explained: "The Stewart Family Thank You Gold Cup is to say thank you to all the people who have given me so much support over the years and donated to the charities.

"I've had so many cards and people coming up to me at racecourses asking me how I am doing.

"There was tremendous support when I did the IronSpine Challenge and people from all over the world gave money to the charities. The purpose behind this year's sponsorship is to thank everyone who has been so kind.

"I completed the IronSpine Challenge over 15 days in August but the training took up most of the year before.

"I found it very, very hard - harder than I ever imagined it would be. I got through thanks to hard work, determination and support. If I had been one lonely man, I would not have been able to do it.

"But I had so much support and so many well-wishers. The reason I did the challenge is that everyone has a disability, such as disliking public speaking or being afraid of social situations. It can be anything and my message is to always try and get the most out of yourself - tomorrow is another day and will be better. It is amazing what you can achieve."

Paul Stewart's Background

Always keen on sport, Paul represented the England Hockey U18 team and went to Loughborough University to study sports.

Snow sports are a passion and in December, 2008, while snowboarding in the Alps, he was caught in an avalanche and fell 200ft, sustaining an L1 spinal cord injury.

27 at the time, he was told he would never walk again but now gets around with two walking sticks and leg braces.

Paul is still completely paralysed below the knee, has limited glutes and has compensated for the lack of hamstrings by building up other muscles to 10 times their normal strength, so he walks mainly using his quads and hip flexors to the amazement of clinicians.

He was not be satisfied with just walking and in 2012 trained and achieved qualifying times for the London Paralympics S6 swimming category; being one of the first people to swim in the Olympic pool.

         

The IPC moved him to S7 category, saying he had achieved too much in a short space of time, so he did not make London 2012, although he carried the Olympic torch in July last year.

He remains a keen sportsman and plays wheelchair tennis among many other activities.

The Charities

For more information on Spinal Research, please visit www.spinal-research.org

For more information on Wings for Life, visit please visit www.wingsforlife.com/en

  

The Stewart Family Thank You Gold Cup

The Stewart Family Thank You Gold Cup has attracted 35 entries, including the Paddy Power Gold Cup winner Johns Spirit, plus Colour Squadron, Attaglance and Rajdhani Express, who finished second, fourth and fifth to him in the feature race of The Open last month.

The Stewart Family are involved in two entries - owning last weekend's Newbury winner Tatenen outright and sharing Ghizao with the Johnson Family.

The weights for the race are announced tomorrow, Wednesday, December 4.

Sophia Brudenell, Cheltenham Racecourse's Communications Manager, commented: "The Stewart Family Thank You Gold Cup reflects the remarkable story of Paul Stewart, who is an inspiration to everyone."  

Nicholls hoping Roque can secure second victory in Neptune Investment Management series at Sandown Park on Friday

The third race in Neptune Investment Management's eight-race Road To Cheltenham series of novices' hurdles takes place at Sandown Park this Friday, December 6.

The £28,000 Grade Two Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle is staged over two and a half miles and has attracted 10 entries, including the Paul Nicholls-trained Saint Roque.

A seven-year-old son of Lavirco, Saint Roque won the first race in the series at Cheltenham on October 18, when he battled well in the closing stages to defeat Rum And Butter by half a length. Saint Roque won his three races prior to Cheltenham, scoring at Fontwell, Worcester and Newton Abbot during the summer months.

Paul Nicholls reported: "If the weather stays dry for the rest of the week, Saint Roque will run at Sandown Park in the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle because he needs good ground.

"I haven't run him since he won at Cheltenham in October because he is at his best when racing fresh. He has won four races now, so is not that easy to place.

"He is very well and I am looking forward to running him again."

Nicholls has won this race three times in the past, including with subsequent Cheltenham Gold Cup winner See More Business in 1995 and with future Grand National scorer Neptune Collonges in 2005.

Champion trainer Nicky Henderson could be represented by Beat That, a 10-length winner on his hurdling debut at Ascot on November 22, and the J P McManus-owned Captain Cutter, who won by the same distance at Kempton Park on November 4.

Ballyalton could reappear quickly, having taken the scalp of the highly-regarded Oscar Rock at Newcastle on Saturday, while Jonjo O'Neill, who scored last year with Taquin de Seuil, has entered dual hurdle victor Oscar Fortune.

Other notable entries include Irish Cavalier, who is seeking a four-timer for trainer Rebecca Curtis, and the Charlie Longsdon-trained pair of Hannibal The Great and Killala Quay.

About the series

The Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle series consists of eight races throughout the Jump season, culminating with the Grade One Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

It has proved not only an outstanding showcase for young hurdling talent but also a stepping stone to those that go on to shine at the highest level in open company, whether over hurdles or fences.

The Cheltenham Festival winners under Neptune Investment Management's sponsorship are The New One (2013), Simonsig (2012), First Lieutenant (2011) and Peddlers Cross (2010), while winners of the series races include last season's Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Bobs Worth.

Now one of the leading corporate sponsors of British racing, Neptune has increased its sponsorship portfolio to include four races on the Flat in the summer, including two of the most prestigious trials for the Ladbrokes St Leger, the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood and the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York.

2013/14 Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle Series

Friday, October 18, 2013 - Cheltenham - Won by Saint Roque, owned by Chris Giles & Ian Fogg, trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by Daryl Jacob.

Saturday, November 16, 2013 - Cheltenham - Won by Creepy, owned by Mark Boothright, T Hanlon and S Harman, trained by Martin Keighley and ridden by Ian Popham.

Friday, December 6, 2013 - Sandown

Wednesday, January 1, 2014 - Cheltenham

Saturday, January 11, 2014 - Warwick

Saturday, January 25, 2014 - Cheltenham

Saturday, February 15, 2014 - Ascot

 

@hkjc Lucky Nine thriving on home turf ahead of Sunday's LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint

Brett Prebble has partnered Lucky Nine in 24 races in five countries/regions and has been in the saddle for numerous early morning gallops, so when the Australian ace says "he's never felt better" ahead of Sunday's G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint it makes sense to take note.

 

"The horse is full of energy, I can't give you any negative and I'm excited for Sunday to come," said Prebble of last season's G1 KrisFlyer International Sprint hero.

Hong Kong's Champion Sprinter is bidding to emulate the great Sacred Kingdom  (2007 & 2009) by regaining the Hong Kong Sprint crown he won in 2011 but relinquished 12 months ago when only fifth. The horse that emphatically wrested the title in 2012 was Japan's star sprinter Lord Kanaloa and Prebble is looking forward to locking horns with that rival once more.

"I'm worried about the draw but I'm not worried about Lord Kanaloa. If I get a draw - I'm not saying we'll definitely beat him - we'll certainly give him a race," said the jockey, who was also atop Lucky Nine when the gelding was an unlucky fifth to Lord Kanaloa in the 2012 G1 Sprinters Stakes in Japan.

"We've met Lord Kanaloa twice and both times I've stood him up a huge task to catch him because my horse has come out very awkward both times - he's jumping much faster now. If I'm in front of Lord Kanaloa, he'll have a race on his hands."

Lucky Nine has had an unusual campaign so far this term, his two lead-up races having been in Australia. After an agonising nose defeat in the G1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley in October, the Caspar Fownes-trained six-year-old failed to fire when sixth down the Flemington straight in the G1 VRC Sprint Classic (1200m) on November 9.

"It's hard to put a finger on what took place at Flemington because he's done well down the straight here at Sha Tin, so I'm not saying it was just the straight course - the horse wasn't comfortable when he started," commented Prebble. "Since he's got back here he's a different horse to what he was down there. I worked him yesterday (Monday) and it was the Lucky Nine of old."

Lucky Nine went 1200m of the Sha Tin all-weather on Monday and after a steady 33.3s opening 400m he wound up with a 25.8s split before closing off with a 21.8s final section for 1m 20.9s. 

"He can't be better, he's on top form and Caspar's done a fantastic job to get him back to the form he's in now," enthused Prebble. "He's as good as he's felt in a very long time. It's very important to draw a good gate, but if he does, we'll be in the finish. We just need a bit of luck, get the barrier draw, and we'll see the real Lucky Nine on Sunday."

The G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint is the final leg of the Global Sprint Challenge and features a top-class field of 14 runners, including this season's G1 King's Stand Stakes hero Sole Power and G1 Nunthorpe Stakes heroine Jwala.

LONGINES Hong Kong International Races Tuesday track notes

There was an increased buzz of activity at Sha Tin this morning as more of the international press turned out and there was plenty to see on the track. Ireland's Vase hope Simenon was one of two to work on the turf, clocking 1m 26.2s for 1200m, while USA contender King Kreesa limbered up for the Mile with a steady 1200m breeze in 1m 21.6s.

LONGINES Hong Kong Vase

ASUKA KURICHAN (JPN)

Cantered on the all-weather under jockey Takuma Ogino who is the horse's exercise rider.

Trainer Naosuke Sugai said: "Everything has gone well, as planned, so far. It was his first day to work on the track yesterday so he was as fit as a fiddle. This morning, he was more relaxed and cantered comfortably. We will give him a gallop on the all-weather tomorrow."

DOMINANT (HK)

Trainer John Moore said: "He's a little bit thick in the wind but we've got used to that now. He worked along with Ashkiyr this morning and it was good work over about a mile. He'll go through his final gallop on Friday just to top him off."

DUNADEN (FR)

The seven-year-old is visiting Sha Tin for the third consecutive winter and he seems to be regarded by the other French challengers as a schoolmaster leading them on the all weather track, bar Cirrus Des Aigles, who does things his own way after four visits.

Exercise rider Mathieu Brasme commented: "He hardly raced at all 10 days ago so he's not tired!"

EBIYZA (FR)

Exercised on the all-weather track.

Jean-Michel Roux, travelling head lad for Alain de Royer Dupre said: "Her morning rider lets her do what she likes but once they are at work, it all falls in place. Those two love each other! I guess that the filly will work on the turf on Thursday, like most of them."

MOUNT ATHOS (GB)

Cantered and then walked down the turf track to the parade ring, a regular pattern for the horse.

Charlie Henson, representing trainer Luca Cumani, commented: "This helps with acclimatisation. It is a tried and tested system used in the past by Mr Cumani with the likes of Falbrav and Presvis. Mount Athos is enjoying the warmer weather and is in good shape. He'll do some work on the turf at some point later in the week."

Like plenty of others Henson pointed in only one direction regarding the most likely winner of this year's Vase. "If The Fugue shows up at the top of her game, she'll be hard to beat."

RED CADEAUX (GB)

Went a steady 800m on the all-weather in 1m 02.9s (splits: 34.5, 28.4)

The 2013 Dubai World Cup and Melbourne Cup runner-up continues to "tick over well" according to his long time handler Robin Trevor-Jones. This year the gelding comes to Hong Kong directly from Melbourne whereas last year he went from Melbourne to the Japan Cup before winning the Vase.

Trevor-Jones, representing trainer Ed Dunlop, said: "He had a pretty tough run in this year's Melbourne Cup so it was decided to miss Japan. He was tired after Flemington but is sparking up again now as he always does. He's a wonderful horse who always gives his best and I'm happy with how he's looking. He's probably ready now for a bit of a blow tomorrow."

LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint

CERISE CHERRY (HK)

Worked 800m (all-weather) in 48.3s (splits: 26.0, 22.3).

Jockey Matthew Chadwick said: "The draw is going to be important for him. I just galloped him this morning and he was very relaxed - he does his own thing but he'll wake up on race day. I gave him a squeeze and he responded - he knows what he's doing.

EAGLE REGIMENT (HK)

Manfred Man, trainer of Eagle Regiment: "We'll work him tomorrow. We just want to keep him fresh - he's six now so I know him - it will be an easy, normal pace. My horse can run fresh. He ran very well in Dubai when he missed track work. The main thing is I can't push him that hard - if I do, maybe he would not make the race. It will be a headache if he draws wide but if he gets the inside draw he will get a good chance and it will be very close. But Japan's horse (Lord Kanaloa) is very strong."

LORD KANALOA (JPN)

Had a routine canter on the all-weather under regular exercise rider Shogo Yasuda who is a son of trainer Takayuki Yasuda.

Ryuji Iwamoto, assistant trainer, said: "We are very happy with his good condition.  As I saw him working this morning, he was full of beans and wanted to go faster, which was a good sign, but he seemed to keep in good contact with the rider. He will have a gallop on turf tomorrow."

SOLE POWER (IRE) and SLADE POWER (IRE)

Irish trainer Edward Lynam, who is two handed in the Hong Kong Sprint, was at Sha Tin on Tuesday morning for the first time as Sole Power and Slade Power put in routine canters on the all-weather track. He reported that all was well with his pair:

"They have both travelled well and have settled in here with no bother, which is the main thing," he said of his King's Stand Stakes Royal Ascot winner. "I hope they will run their races on Sunday. Sole Power has been running well all season, he's an experienced horse, getting wiser as he gets older - a bit like his trainer! He'll need to run a lot better than he did in this race two years ago (9th in 2011), but if he relaxes in the race he'll get the six furlongs alright. He's fresh and well and his training has been good."

Speaking of Slade Power, winner of the Group 2 British Champions Sprint on his most recent start at Ascot in October, Lynam said " He's an improving horse, winning a couple of Group 3 races, being placed in a Group 1 race, and winning a Group 2. If he breaks well, he'll run a good race."

Lynam plans to put Slade Power through the starting gate on Friday morning, and let him break from the gate for a hundred metres or so, in an effort to ensure that all goes right on the big day for this occasionally erratic starter.

LONGINES Hong Kong Mile

DAN EXCEL (HK)

Worked 1200m (turf) along with Military Attack in 1m 17.4 s (splits: 27.1, 26.9, 23.4)

Trainer John Moore said: "He went through his paces with Military Attack on the turf this morning and he worked very well. He'll have another three-quarter pace work on Friday morning to apply the finishing touches."

LINTON (AUS)

The distinctive grey had a steady canter on the all-weather track and has pleased connections with steady improvement in his condition over the past 48 hours according to stable manager Troy Corstens who ventured to Sha Tin for the first time this morning.

Corstens said: "The horse is coming good. He's back on his tucker now after taking a few days to settle in. He lost around 15kg on the trip over but he's nearly put that all back on now. Just three or four kilos to go.

"He looks great in the coat. It's always a little hard to tell with greys but I think he's the healthiest in the coat right now that he's ever been. Being stabled alone isn't ideal but the Jockey Club has helped us out with a few things including a mirror in his box and that seems to have helped.

"Carolyn (Mason) is happy with him and she's looked after the horse ever since he joined our stable. We haven't done a great deal with him here in Hong Kong but he's not a gross horse. He doesn't take a lot of work but he will probably have a more serious workout on Thursday morning."

Corstens is under no illusions about the enormity of the task in Sunday's race. "The Mile looks an exceptional race this year. It's certainly the toughest race he's contested and he'll need all the luck we can get. We're here with open eyes and under no illusions about how tough it's going to be but we're still quietly confident that he'll run well."

MOONLIGHT CLOUD (FR)

Worked on the all-weather track.

Regis Barbedette, travelling head lad to trainer Freddy Head, said: "She's all right. There is not much to do as she worked very well on Monday last week at Chantilly before taking off."

SHAMALGAN (FR)

Luis Garcia Fernandez, travelling head lad, said: "It is my first time here after we travelled Europe in Shamalgan's horsebox. He travelled all right and seems to be in good shape."

LONGINES Hong Kong Cup

CIRRUS DES AIGLES (FR)

Exercised on the all-weather and breezed 400m in 27.6s.

Zoe Gargoulaud, exercise rider, said: "He's keen enough and he always seems to want more when we hit the turf course on our way to the quarantine stables."

Jean-Jacques Poincelet, assistant trainer to Corine Barande-Barbe, added: "He always wants to go, although I feel that with age he is now able to manage himself. Zoe (Gargoulaud) needs to check him every now and then but that's all right."

MILITARY ATTACK (HK)

Worked 1200m (turf) along with Dan Excel in 1m 17.4 s (splits: 27.1, 26.9, 23.4)

Jockey Zac Purton said: "His work has been good. He has progressed from one week to the next and he did a nice little piece of work on the grass this morning. Obviously we didn't get to the bottom of him, it's just a case of topping him off for the weekend - he's done enough. He's going in third up and he's a horse that loves his racing and gets better as he gets into his preparation, so for me that's probably our only concern."

SIDE GLANCE (GB)

The Andrew Balding-trained contender was again out on the all-weather track with regular rider Leanne Masterson aboard. The consistent six-year-old gelding, who gained his first success at Group 1 level when taking the Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington on his last start, galloped over 1200 metres in 1m 19.9s (splits: 28.3, 27.5, 24.1) and looked very well in doing so.

"He's in good form," said a smiling Masterson recalling his Australian triumph, "I am just so happy he won that day, he really deserved it, and it was so special for everyone."

TOKEI HALO (JPN)

Cantered on the all-weather under his regular work rider Yoshiyuki Miyashita.

Assistant trainer Yoshiyuki Miyashita said: "He is maintaining good form and everything up to now has gone smoothly. The trainer will come out on the track to see his gallop on turf tomorrow morning. Jockey Yutaka Take will take reins."

@awchamps Appleby expects Bancnuanaheireann to deliver

Trainer Mick Appleby is confident Bancnuanaheireann can return to winning ways in the £19,000 Coral App Download From The App Store Conditions Stakes (1.30pm) over 10 furlongs at Lingfield tomorrow, Wednesday, December 4.

The six-year-old finished second to Prince Alzain in the Listed coral.co.uk Churchill Stakes over the course and distance on November 16, having easily captured the nine-furlong Silver Cambridgeshire at Newmarket on September 27.

Appleby reported: "Bancnuanaheireann came out of his last run at Lingfield well and is in good order.

"I was happy with his run there and I think he ran better than the result suggests. He was trapped wide the whole way and it was probably a career-best performance.

"He didn't run until he was a four-year-old and is just a big, improving horse. He is top-rated tomorrow and should win really.

"After tomorrow, the plan would be to aim him at All-Weather Championship Finals Day on Good Friday."

Bancnuanaheireann, partnered by Tom Queally, is set to take on four rivals headed by Churchill Stakes third Uramazin and the consistent Marshgate Lane.

Freewheel, who won his only start at Tipperary in May for Ireland's champion trainer Aidan O'Brien, will have his first start for Dandy Nicholls. The field is completed by the veteran Mia's Boy.

The £200,000 Coral All-Weather Champion Stakes takes place on Good Friday, April 18, 2014 at Lingfield Park.

Wednesday's eight-race card at Lingfield Park also features the £19,000 Compare Bookmakers At bookmakers.co.uk Handicap over five furlongs (1.00pm, 10 runners).

The tremendous line-up includes two Group One winners in Tangerine Trees and Prohibit, one of three runners for Robert Cowell, Stewards' Cup runner-up Ajjaadd, and the hat-trick seeking Forest Edge.

Kate Hills, the ARC Director of PR and Communications, said: "To have winners of the King's Stand Stakes (Prohibit) and Prix de l'Abbaye (Tangerine Trees) running on the All-Weather at Lingfield Park is tremendous and they are exactly the sort of quality horses we hope to attract in the build-up to the new All-Weather Championships Finals Day on Good Friday."

Racing starts at noon, with the final race at 3.30pm.

Horses qualify for the six championship contests on All-Weather Championships Finals Day by winning a specified "Win & You're In" race or running in a minimum of three races at Britain's All-Weather tracks - three owned by ARC, Lingfield Park, Southwell and Wolverhampton, and The Jockey Club's Kempton Park - between October 26 and April 12.

WINNERS FROM THE 47TH ANNUAL HWPA DERBY AWARDS, SUPPORTED BY THE QATAR RACING & EQUESTRIAN CLUB IN CONJUNCTION WITH SPINAL RESEARCH AND THE SPINAL INJURIES ASSOCIATION

Nick Luck was announced as the winner of the Peter O'Sullevan Trophy for Broadcaster of the Year for the fifth time at the 47th annual Horserace Writers & Photographers Association Derby Awards Lunch, held in London and supported by the Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club in conjunction with Spinal Research and the Spinal Injuries Association

He received his award from Sir Peter O'Sullevan today (Monday, December 2) and takes over from his Channel 4 Racing colleague Clare Balding, successful in 2012,

Luck was voted Broadcaster of the Year also in 2011, 2009, 2008 and 2007. The other nominations for this year's award were Matt Chapman, Graham Cunningham and John Hunt.

Chris McGrath, who earlier this year left The Independent, gained the accolade of Racing Writer of the Year for the second time. His first Clive Graham Trophy came in 2007.

McGrath triumphed ahead of another past winner, Greg Wood of The Guardian, freelancer Lissa Oliver and Nicholas Godfrey of the Racing Post.

The other award for a journalist, the John Oaksey Trophy for the Racing Reporter of the Year, is in its second year and went to Jon Lees of the Racing Post.

In a close vote, Lees triumphed ahead of Chris McGrath, The Daily Telegraph's Jim McGrath and Tom Peacock of the Press Association.

Alan Crowhurst of Getty Images gained a second Photographer of the Year Award, following on from success in 2009. His winning portfolio of photos meant he beat off challenges from Julian Herbert, Hugh Routledge and five-time winner Edward Whitaker.

Besides the introduction last year of the John Oaksey Trophy for Racing Reporter of the Year, the Picture of the Year Award came into existence.

Julian Herbert took the 2013 Picture of the Year Award for his portrait of a bruised and battered A P McCoy. The other nominees were Mark Cranham, Alan Crowhurst and Louise Pollard.

The separate Derby Awards National Hunt and Flat Awards for Trainer of the Year and Jockey of the Year were done away with last year and an amalgamated Trainer of the Year and Jockey of the Year emerged.

Richard Hannon, Flat Trainer of the Year three times in the past (2010, 1993 & 1992), has gained the Trainer of the Year Award for 2013, which is particularly apt as he hands over to his son and assistant Richard junior at the end of this month on a high note after another trainers' championship. The other contenders were Lady Cecil, Nicky Henderson and David O'Meara.

The nominees for the riders' award also came from both the National Hunt and Flat worlds, with Richard Hughes, A P McCoy, Ryan Moore and Johnny Murtagh put forward for consideration.

McCoy has enjoyed a particularly memorable year, becoming champion Jump jockey for the 18th time and gaining his 4,000th success. These terrific accomplishments swayed the voters who made him Jockey of the Year for the 14th time, following on from his 13 Derby Awards as National Hunt Jockey of the Year.

The Derby Award for the Owner of the Year went to Treve's owner, HE Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani. He was voted the winner ahead of J P McManus, Middleham Park Racing and the Not Afraid Partnership.

Jack Berry took the Flat Trainer of the Year Award in 1990 and this year he picked up another Derby Award, the George Ennor Trophy for Outstanding Achievement, in recognition of his indefatigable efforts on behalf of charity.

The President's Award went to broadcaster Derek Thompson, while the International Trainer of the Year, sponsored by the International Racing Bureau, was Newmarket-based Ed Dunlop, gaining the award for a second time.

The 47th annual Horserace Writers & Photographers Association Derby Awards Lunch took place at the Lancaster London this afternoon (Monday, December 2) and was supported by the Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club in conjunction with Spinal Research and the Spinal Injuries Association

Details of the 2013 Derby Awards

International Trainer of the Year - Ed Dunlop

Picture of the Year - Julian Herbert

John Oaksey Trophy for Racing Reporter of the Year - Jon Lees

Owner of the Year - HE Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani

George Ennor Trophy for Outstanding Achievement - Jack Berry

Jockey of the Year - A P McCoy

President's Award - Derek Thompson

Trainer of the Year - Richard Hannon

Peter O'Sullevan Trophy for Broadcaster of the Year - Nick Luck

Photographer of the Year - Alan Crowhurst

Clive Graham Trophy for Racing Writer of the Year - Chris McGrath