Hong Kong contenders turn in local works

Last updated: 12/3/13 2:03 PM

French star Cirrus des Aigles has earned more than $7 million

(Hong Kong Jockey Club)

There was an increased buzz of activity at Sha Tin Tuesday morning as more of
the international press turned out and there was plenty to see on the track.
Ireland’s Hong Kong Vase hope Simenon was one of two to work on the turf, clocking 1200
meters in 1:26.20, while American contender King Kreesa limbered up for the Hong
Kong Mile with a steady 1200-meter breeze in 1:21.60.

Meanwhile, Hong King Cup contenders Cirrus des Aigles and Side Glance turned
in breezes over the all-weather surface. Cirrus des Aigles worked 400 meters in
:27.60, while the Andrew Balding-trained Side Glance galloped over 1200 meters
in 1:19.90, and looked very well in doing so with splits of :28.30, :27.50 and
:24.10.

“He’s keen enough and he always seems to want more when we hit the turf
course on our way to the quarantine stables,” said Zoe Gargoulaud, the exercise
rider for Cirrus des Aigles.

Leanne Masterson was aboard Side Glance, a consistent six-year-old gelding
who gained his first success at Group 1 level when taking the Mackinnon Stakes
at Flemington in his last start.

“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.”

Red Cadeaux, going for a repeat win in the Hong Kong Vase, went a steady 800 meters in
1:02.90. His splits were :34.50 and :28.40.

The globetrotting Red Cadeaux is winless in eight starts since taking the 2012 Hong Kong Vase

(Hong Kong Jockey Club)

The 2013 Dubai World Cup and Melbourne Cup runner-up, Red Cadeaux 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.

“He had a pretty tough run in this year’s Melbourne Cup so it was decided to
miss Japan,” Trevor-Jones said. “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.”

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 traveled well and have settled in here with no bother, which
is the main thing,” Lynam said. “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 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 meters or so, in an effort to
ensure that all goes right on the big day for this occasionally erratic starter.

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