LONGINES Hong Kong Cup

Bellagio Opera

Bellagio Opera worked on the all-weather track, clocking 32.6s and 27.4s (1.00.0) before receiving gate and paddock experience.

Trainer Hiroyuki Uemura said: "He showed a good level of focus during paddock schooling, and remained calm during gate practice as well. There appears to be no particular issues at this point."

 Quisisana

As trainer Francis Graffard explained to the media on Friday morning (12 December), Quisisana was a little slow to get into the routine of Hong Kong after the flight but, as was the case on Thursday (11 December), she put in an extremely pleasing tour of the Sha Tin all-weather, coasting home under Richard Darlix in 29.5s and 25.8s across the final 800m. 

Rousham Park

Cantered on the all-weather track, clocking 29.7s and 25.0s (54.7s) before he went to the gate to familiarise himself with it.

The assistant to trainer Hiroyasu Tanaka, Shun Takano, said: "He is now able to conserve energy while maintaining forward momentum in his stride. Today (Friday, 12 December), he practiced with a gate handler in the gate for the first time. He behaved well inside the gate and showed no concern toward the handler – no issues there.

 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile

Beauvatier

The sole international to take to the turf on Friday (12 December), Beauvatier cantered a lap of the track, with Mathieu Delage asking for a little more urgency up the straight, coming home in 25.0s for the final 400m. 

Trainer Yann Barberot said: "He only really galloped the last 200 metres and the idea was to give him a feel for the track and to just get him in race mode, as he was in danger of going to sleep on us! He relaxed all the way round and he was pointing his ears even as they picked up the pace slightly at the end. He is such a relaxed horse, it's incredible."

Docklands

Looked in good form on the all-weather track before heading to the Parade Ring for paddock schooling. His trainer, Harry Eustace, was on the ground to see him for the first time this week.

Trainer Harry Eustace said: "He seems great. He's very fresh and well and I feel like we're bringing him here in a much better spot than last year. We're quietly hoping for a good run. I think the second time horses do international travel they just take it that much better. We've just kept him at a mile this year, he ran very well in Japan from a bad draw, and we're just looking forward to running him. He does need a holiday at some point but I need to talk to the owners and see if they want to aim at Ascot again or focus internationally."

LONGINES Hong Kong Vase

Eydon

Returned to the track after a day in the quarantine stables and cantered on the all-weather, clocking 28.7s, 27.9s and 27.5s (1.24.1) for 1200m, before paddock schooling.

Anna Lisa Balding, assistant trainer, said: "Very happy. He just went a mile on the all-weather this morning (Friday, 12 December) and seems to be moving well. He's had a little paddock school and Maddy O'Meara, our international travelling head groom, is happy with him. So fingers crossed.

"Everything seems OK. He seems to be moving well, we're not concerned. He was an impressive Group 2 winner last time, he's drawn nine and has got a lot to beat but I also think he's a very lightly-raced horse, because he is a fragile horse, and he's still got plenty of miles left in him – there's no reason why he still couldn't run the best race of his life on Sunday (14 December). He's just got to make sure he's in the front end of the race and see what happens."

Giavellotto

Cantered for a lap of the all-weather track under his big-race rider Andrea Atzeni, quickening up in the home straight, clocking 33.7s, 26.7s and 24.6s (1.25.0) for 1200m.

Lucie Botti, assistant trainer, said: "It's all going to plan, he looks well and we're delighted. He's got a good draw (six), Andrea is very happy and knows the form, he seems confident and we're obviously hoping for a very good run.

"He just wanted to see how he was, although obviously he knows him from the Arc and from home. He's ridden him many times and it's a good combination. The team have been delighted. He's been travelling the world and he knows the game."

Goliath

One of the most reliable parts of the week among the international contingent has been the sight of Goliath winging around the rail at a nice cruising speed under work rider Dylan Lepere, clocking 31.8s, 29.2s and 25.9s (1.26.9) for 1200m.

Trainer Francis Graffard said: "The form of the race is very strong but my horse has a very high rating. Everybody knows that when we have the right Goliath, and the race goes his way, he's a really strong performer. If everything goes for him, I think he's a danger to everyone. If the horse relaxes during the race and has a clear run, I'm not scared of anybody."

Sosie

After taking things gently on Thursday (11 December) following his turf breeze the day before, Sosie was back to business on Friday (12 December), purring around the all-weather and posting metronomic closing 800m sectionals of 25.3s and 25.4s under work rider Christmy Derhoua.

Having seen him for the first time since arriving in Hong Kong, Pierre-Yves Bureau – who manages the racing and breeding interests of Sosie's owners, Wertheimer et Frere – was delighted with the colt's condition.

"His coat remains fantastic, he's in great shape physically and I think he has a real chance on Sunday. It's a very good lineup but Richard (Lambert, travelling head groom) and Maxime (Guyon) have been delighted with him this week."

Urban Chic

Urban Chic warmed up in the trotting ring, had gate practice and schooled in the paddock.

Trainer Ryo Takei said: "Even after the gallop yesterday (Thursday, 11 December), his movement remained fluid and he stayed mentally composed. He showed some initial sensitivity to the gate handler but quickly adjusted. Overall, his preparation is progressing smoothly."