Dandino, Galileo Rock both out of HK Vase

Dandino was a live contender based on his European and Australian form (Hong Kong Jockey Club)

Dandino and Galileo Rock have been forced to miss Sunday’s Group 1 Hong Kong
Vase after sustaining soft tissue injuries on the eve of the race.

English shipper Dandino has injured his right front leg, while Irish
sophomore Galileo Rock’s issue is with his left fore.

The rest of the Saturday news from Sha Tin was more routine.

Vase favorite The Fugue cantered on the all-weather track, and trainer John
Gosden is increasingly happy with the filly.

“There’s a nice bounce to her now,” Gosden said. “She’s full of herself and
just wants to get on with it. I took it quietly with her earlier in the week
because I wanted her to get over her travel.  She was only beaten by a
brilliant horse (Magician) in the Breeders’ Cup Turf last time.”

Simenon (Vase) comes from the red-hot yard of Willie Mullins, who registered five winners over the jumps Saturday (Hong Kong Jockey Club)

“She looks to be in good condition and looks strong,” trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre
said. “She is a three-year-old and is not experienced so that is a question but
she is improving. She has pleased me this week, she lost a lot of weight on the
journey but she has recovered her weight and now her weight has stabilized. This
race is a higher level than it was three or four years ago, so we will find out
how good she is. If she’s good enough, she’ll win, if not, she won’t.”

Mount Athos cantered on the all-weather and earned a vote of confidence from
Sarah Cumani, wife of trainer Luca Cumani.

“I’m very pleased with the way he looks and we’re quietly confident he can
run to his best on Sunday,” she said regarding his Vase prospects.

Vase rival Simenon breezed under the watch of his relaxed trainer Willie
Mullins, whose Irish yard sent out no fewer than five winners over the jumps
Saturday.

“He’s a good traveler and very well in himself,” Mullins said. “I also think
it is a big plus that we have got Ryan Moore. He has had great success on the
horse in the past but he hasn’t been available to ride him for some time.”

Little Mike (Cup) could be even better suited to a right-handed course, according to Dale Romans (Hong Kong Jockey Club)

“Strangely enough, I think it might be a plus for him going the other way
(right-handed),” Romans said. “He’s looked very comfortable here this week and I
think he’s suited on the right lead. He’s never been that fluent at home going
left-handed, always inclined to switch leads and I don’t think he’ll have any
issue on Sunday — in fact he might even be better.”

Leading Cup opponent Cirrus des Aigles exercised about a half-mile on the
all-weather in :52.5 (splits of :27.4 and :25.1).

Side Glance lobbed around the trotting ring in advance of the Cup.

“Andrew (Balding) couldn’t be happier with him, and we’ve got an each-way
squeak,” the trainer’s wife, Anna Lisa Balding, said.

Japanese Cup hopeful Tokei Halo cantered for two laps on the all-weather.
Trainer Hisashi Shimizu expects a better performance than his 10th in the Tenno
Sho Autumn last out.

Trainer Tom Hogan believes that Gordon Lord Byron (Mile) is stronger this year (Hong Kong Jockey Club)

Both of trainer Eddie Lynam’s Sprint entrants, Sole Power and Slade Power,
tuned up on the all-weather. The veteran Sole Power stretched his legs an easy
two furlongs in :29.7, while the fresh-faced Slade Power toured about a
half-mile in :54.7 (splits of :29.6 and :25.1).

Moonlight Cloud put the finishing touches on her preparation for Sunday’s
Group 1 Hong Kong Mile, striding about a half-mile on the all-weather and
closing off fluently to clock :51 (splits of :27.2 and :23.8).

“She’s sound and she’s well,” trainer Freddy Head said. “All good and now we
simply look forward to Sunday with our fingers crossed. We’ve done all that we
can and now it’s up to her. She’s very special and I believe she is in the same
form as she was in the summer. She’s very sound, never missed a day’s work in
her life and this is part of the reason why she is so good.”

Mile threat Sky Lantern is back to her best, according to assistant trainer
Richard Hannon Jr.

“She was quiet earlier in the week but is on her A-game now,” he said. “We
will probably sit in about fifth or sixth in the race but we’ll leave it to
Hughesie (Richard Hughes). She’ll love the fast ground and though we all have
Moonlight Cloud to beat I’m not sure she’ll appreciate that ground as much as we
will.”