LONGINES Hong Kong Cup

Galen

As he has done for the last few days, Galen followed Al Riffa in a canter on the all-weather track, clocking 27.7s, 28.3s and 26.3s (1.22.3) for 1200m.

Trainer Joseph O'Brien said: "They're both fit and both of them have had busy seasons. Both have campaigned internationally as well as domestically. I might go on the turf tomorrow (Friday, 12 December). It was a great run last time, a career-best, and he likes to go right-handed and forward."

 Quisisana

Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard appeared to be in a relaxed mood as he made his trackwork debut for the week, and would have been delighted to see Quisisana travelling sweetly under work rider Richard Darlix to record 29.9s and 25.1s in closing out an easy lap of the all-weather track.

Rousham Park

Galloped on the all-weather track, clocking 29.1s and 24.2s (53.3s) for 800m.

Trainer Hiroyasu Tanaka said: "Recently, he has lacked a fighting spirit in training, likely due to the effects of throat surgery. Taking both his physical and mental condition into account, we made training programmes to help lift his energy and motivation. This will be his fourth overseas trip, and he has definitely matured and become more composed. I believe the 2000 metres at Sha Tin suits the horse well. We had thought he built up gradually, but in the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1, 2400m), he showed he could produce a solid turn of foot. We'll discuss a race plan with the jockey based on that performance."

LONGINES Hong Kong Mile

Beauvatier

Trainer Yann Barberot arrived in Hong Kong in time to catch the action at Happy Valley on Wednesday and was on hand to watch Beauvatier canter one lap of the Sha Tin all-weather track, coming home in 31.6s and 27.0s (58.6s) for the final 800 metres.

"My horse is not a Group 1 winner but he has shown he is up to that level and he arrives here in great form," Barberot said. "Sunday (14 December) will be interesting, for all that we are among the outsiders." 

Soul Rush

Galloped for 1200m under exercise rider Yuki Iwasaki, clocking 29.6s, 27.1s and 22.6s (1.19.3) for 1200m.

Trainer Yasutoshi Ikee said: "He moved nicely and responded well. His breathing was also smooth. He has the power like a monster and his difficult temperament is not very easy to handle. But perhaps with more overseas experience, he has matured. In the race, the key will be how he breaks from the gate and whether he can build enough early speed to stay with the marked horses. As this will be his final race, we're determined to end on a high note."

The Lion In Winter

Stepped up preparations with a visit to the turf course under Rachel Richardson, leading stable companion Los Angeles, clocking 26.8s, 25.3s and 24.3s (1.16.4) for 1200m.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien's stable representative, Pat Keating, said: "They just had a steady canter for a mile. We just wanted them to have a look at the turf. All good."

LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint

Khaadem

Charlie Hills was in attendance for the first time at trackwork to watch Khaadem go through his usual steady canter on the all-weather surface.

Charlie Hills, trainer, said: "I just saw him in the stables. He looks fantastic and his weight is good. He seems nice and happy. He was on the turf earlier this week and he's done most of his prep work, so we won't do too much with him. He did a lovely piece of work last week just before he got on the plane."

Satono Reve

Galloped on the turf under Ryan Moore, clocking 28.0s and 23.4s (51.4s) for 800m.

Trainer Noriyuki Hori said: "He moved smoothly in all aspects – balance, motion and rhythm – and showed good forward momentum. It was mentally composed as well, and given that this is his third trip to Hong Kong, he has clearly adapted well to the environment. Overall, it was a satisfying workout."

Win Carnelian

Stayed in the quarantine stables, engaging in light exercise.

Jockey Kosei Miura said: "He moved well this morning following his breeze-up yesterday. Despite having drawn the widest barrier – stall 16 – in his last race, he has enough early speed, so it is actually good to draw wide.

LONGINES Hong Kong Vase

Al Riffa

Trainer Joseph O'Brien and big-race rider Dylan Browne McMonagle made their first appearances of the week at trackwork to watch Al Riffa lead Galen in his customary canter on the all-weather track, clocking 27.8s, 28.2s and 26.4s (1.22.4) for 1000m.

Trainer Joseph O'Brien said: "The Melbourne Cup (G1, 3200m) was the plan and after discussing with the owners, this was an obvious place to potentially come afterwards, had he pulled up well. He didn't have a hard race and he came home really good from Melbourne so we were happy to lock that in. He's a seasoned traveller, and, in fact, he enjoys it. He came home and trained in Ireland for a while before shipping out this week. He's had a great preparation, his weight is good and we're hoping for a good run. I might go on the turf tomorrow."

Giavellotto

Continued his regular preparations on the all-weather track and is to be partnered by big-race jockey Andrea Atzeni on Friday (12 December).

Andrea Atzeni said: "I've been speaking to (trainer) Marco (Botti) the last few days and the horse seems in good order, they're very happy with him. He's a horse that likes travelling and I think I'll have a sit on him tomorrow. He's just going to have a spin around on the all-weather.

"He's a bit of a free-sweater. He's not as bad as he was, but if he doesn't sweat behind the gates, you'd be worried. He's matured a lot and is more straightforward in his races. I thought it was a brilliant run last time. We had a kind draw and got a nice trip round.

"He's much better on good or top-of-the-ground and I think he enjoys a flat track. The way he won it last year, he was very impressive. It's a hot race, very open, you can make the case for most of the horses coming from overseas and even a couple of the local horses too. It's not a one-horse race, it never is."

Goliath

Trainer Francis Graffard and his staff have established what works with Goliath following their trips overseas this season, and the five-year-old stuck to his routine of a rail-hugging canter around one lap of the all-weather, with a closing 400m of 25.9s – his quickest closing sectional of the week to date. 

Los Angeles

Cantered on the turf course under Alan Crowe, following stable companion The Lion In Winter, clocking 27.1s, 25.2s and 24.0s (1.16.3) over 1200m.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien's stable representative, Pat Keating, said: "They just had a steady canter for a mile. We just wanted them to have a look at the turf. All good."

 Sosie

Having gone up a gear when breezing on the turf on Wednesday (10 December), Sosie was given an easy time of things on Thursday, hack-cantering one lap of the all-weather track, clocking 33.1s and 35.1s (1.08.2) for 800m. The Arc third remains on extremely good terms with himself.

Urban Chic

Urban Chic, ridden by jockey Kosei Miura, worked on the turf course, clocking 30.2s, 25.7s and 22.3s (1.18.2) for 1200m.

Trainer Ryo Takei supervised and said: "Although it was essentially a solo workout, the horse remained focused and settled well throughout. His movement and balance were good, and he responded sharply in the final stages. Breathing was also in good condition.  The jockey gave positive feedback, suggesting the horse is likely to head into the race in good shape."