The shutters are almost up on this weeklong trackwork among the International contenders, but clockers were still kept on their toes now and again on this low-key Friday morning at Kranji.

After not being seen for a more serious hit-out since their arrival last Saturday, Hong Kong trainer Caspar Fownes’ duo Lucky Nine and Military Attack stepped out for their first turf workout. While KrisFlyer International Sprint three-in-a-row chaser Lucky Nine breezed up the straight, 2013 Singapore Airlines International Cup winner Military Attack cruised along for a lighter exercise, but still looked a million bucks out there.

Dubai import and recent Singapore and Patrick Shaw flagbearer Cooptado, who galloped on the turf track on Tuesday, had another smaller blow on the Polytrack. He was followed suit by three stablemates, Johnny Guitar, Slew Of Lode and Magneto, to pretty much bring Shaw’s very hectic schedule in the last 14 days close to an end.

All the other locals enjoyed a bit of downtime now that all the hard graft leading up to the two big assignments on Sunday has been put to bed.

SINGAPORE AIRLINES INTERNATIONAL CUP
 
Cooptado (SG) – Patrick Shaw

Cantered over 1200m on Track 2 under jockey Barend Vorster, reeling off the last 600m in 38.8 seconds.

“He went on the Polytrack and had a nice short sprint in the last 600m this morning. He went really well,” said trainer Patrick Shaw.

“His weight is still around 465kg in the morning and 472kg later at night. I will be happy if he got to 475kg as he is a long-bodied type of horse.

“I knew him from the time we were buying Quechua. I saw the form and he always beat Quechua – he is a Triple Crown winner in Argentina and is for sure the best horse who came out during that time.”

Vorster could not be happier with the way the four-year-old son of Equal Stripes has gone through his Singapore preparation just two days ahead of D-Day.

“He cantered off from the 1200m and did a short sprint in the last 600m,” said the South African jockey.

“I was very happy with the way he quickened up. He is clean-winded and there was a good balance in his steps.”

Smoking Sun (FRA) – Pascal Bary

Trotted and cantered up and down Track 6 with track rider Patrick Lemagny in the saddle.

“Again the same routine. He did 1000m of canter, but just a touch quicker than yesterday,” said track rider Patrick Lemagny.

“The plan is to give him a little squeeze tomorrow on the same track, but the horse will decide what to do, he will tell us what to do. He is the boss.”

Meiner Frost (JPN) – Noboru Takagi

Cantered over 1 ½ laps on Track 2 under track rider cum assistant-trainer Satoshi Munukata. The grey then proceeded to Track 4 for some barrier practice.

“He cantered at 18 seconds each furlong today. He’s very good,” said track rider cum assistant-trainer Satoshi Munukata.

“We then tried the barrier gates on him. He just went in and out and got used to them, no problem.

“He’s okay and will go on Track 2 tomorrow. Mr Takagi is very happy with his horse.”

Dan Excel (HK) – John Moore

Trotted over 400-500m with track rider Thomas Yeung up followed by a canter over 1 ½ laps on Track 2.

“It’s the same routine as the past few days,” said assistant-trainer George Moore.

“He did a bit of trotting on Track 2 (Polytrack) before going for another round and a half of cantering.”

Military Attack (SIA Cup) & Lucky Nine (KrisFlyer) (HK) – Caspar Fownes

Both cantered up on Track 4, then headed to Track 1 (turf). Military Attack (Paul Lo) did 1 ½ laps at half pace, running the last 600m in 44.4 seconds while Lucky Nine (Danny Suen) did a 400m gallop, stopping the clock at 43.1 seconds for the last 600m.

“They came out for a stretch on the turf this morning,” said trainer Caspar Fownes.

“Military Attack did an easy half pace on the grass while Lucky Nine went for a short gallop, also on the grass.

“We will go easy tomorrow as well, just to keep them in shape for Sunday.”

Free Port Lux (FRA) – Freddy Head

One lap of trot and slow canter and one lap of canter (1300m) on Track 2 (Polytrack) under track rider Philippe Bruneau, finishing off the last 600m in 40.1 seconds .

“He did his usual routine of two laps on the Polytrack and went a little faster in the second lap this morning,” said trainer Freddy Head.

“Philippe told me that after the winning post, he took a big gasp, which is because he is too tense at times.

“But I was happy with how he worked with his ears pricked. He was very relaxed.

“He will work on the Polytrack tomorrow and go for a little sprint up the straight. We don’t need to work on the turf as it may be a little hard for him.”

Johnny Guitar, Quechua, Slew Of Lode (SIA Cup) & Magneto (KrisFlyer) (SG) – Patrick Shaw

Two of trainer Patrick Shaw’s SIA Cup local trio namely Johnny Guitar (43.5 seconds; 600m) and Slew Of Lode (36.9 seconds; 600m) came out for a short sprint on Track 2 while Quechua had an easy day after his Thursday turf gallop. KrisFlyer runner Magneto with race-rider Nooresh Juglall up did the same spurt but on Track 4, clocking 37.2 seconds for the last 600m.

“They did the same thing as Cooptado, a short sharp sprint on the Polytrack,” said trainer Patrick Shaw.

“That’s it for them. They have both drawn well and we’ll keep fingers crossed for the race.

Magneto opted for Track 4 for the same hit-out which pleased his race-rider Nooresh Juglall.

“He came out for a sprint down the back and worked very well today. He felt very bright, and if he brings his A game on Sunday, he’ll be in with a chance,” said Juglall.

Stepitup (SG) – Laurie Laxon

Slow work on Track 3 (sand track) with apprentice Rueven Ravindra up.
“He just had some slow work on the Hong Kong track this morning – just two laps of canter, nothing too demanding,” said assistant-trainer Shane Ellis.

“He will do the same thing on Track 2 tomorrow.”

Wild Geese (SG) – Steven Burridge

Easy day.

KRISFLYER INTERNATIONAL SPRINT

Aerovelocity (KrisFlyer) – Paul O’Sullivan

Cantered over one lap on Track 2 with rider Chew Yew-chung astride, before heading to the parade ring for some schooling.

“He went for a canter on the grass. After that, we walked over to the parade ring just to familiarise the horse with the surroundings,” said trainer Paul O’Sullivan.

“We have already done the gallop yesterday,” said assistant-trainer Pierre Ng.

“Today was a relaxed run and he seems comfortable. We will probably repeat the relaxed routine all the way till raceday.”

Rich Tapestry (HK) – Michael Chang

Warm-up on Track 4 before heading out for one lap of slow canter on Track 2 with track rider Sit Shun-keung on his back.
“It was slow work on Track 2 today,” said Rich Tapestry’s track rider Sit Shun-keung. “Just one round of canter before coming back.

“Tomorrow will be more or less the same. (Trainer) Michael (Chang) should be coming back here on Saturday night.”

Hototo (BAH) – Fawzi Nass

Trotted and hacked on Track 6 before cantering back with track rider Hussain Abdulla in the saddle.

“He cantered over six furlongs,” said assistant-trainer Nicolas Iguacel.

“He’s eating like a machine and his weight is perfect. He is at 500kg now.”

El Padrino (SG) – Alwin Tan

Slow work under the guidance of trainer Alwin Tan’s stable supervisor Jason Ong on Track 6.

“He just did slow work today, but I have to say he looks fantastic. He is probably 90% there,” said trainer Alwin Tan.

“Barrier nine is not so good but it does not bother us too much as he comes from behind. I hope he will run a good race.”

Emperor Max (SG) – Stephen Gray

Cantered over one lap on Track 3 (sand track) with apprentice jockey Ruzaili Yatim aboard.

“Smiley (Ruzaili Yatim) took him for one easy lap of canter on the Hong Kong track this morning,” said trainer Stephen Gray.

“He’s drawn a good gate (1) and that will be a bit of help in keeping up with the leaders. It should help him run a place at least.

“Tomorrow, he will go trotting on the inside trotting ring. I hope I can get Corey (Brown) to jump on him just so he can have a good feel close to the race.”

Kiwi Karma (SG) – Michael Clements

Cantered two rounds on the uphill track with track rider on board.

“I’m happy with her. She seems strong and we’re just maintaining her condition until raceday,” said trainer Michael Clements.

“She will come out for a canter on Track 4 tomorrow and that would be it. We’ve done what we had to do with her.”

Zac Spirit (SG) – Cliff Brown

Cantered on Track 4 and went for a swim.

“He did the same thing as yesterday and swam. He’s all good,” said trainer Cliff Brown.