Audemars Piguet QEII Cup Wednesday (23 April) track notes

Designs On Rome, Dominant, Military Attack, Same World – HK

Trainer John Moore said: “They’ve all got a good sheen to their coats, they’re eating up, they look great and I think they’ll all run well. There’s always that little doubt after returning from overseas (Military Attack and Dominant) but Xtension went to Dubai and came back and won the Champions Mile.”

Vercingetorix and Sanshaawes – SAF

South African stablemates Vercingetorix and Sanshaawes appeared on the track for the first time this morning but had nothing more than a light workout on the all-weather under the supervision of Trevor Brown, assistant to trainer Mike de Kock.

Brown said: “Both horses travelled very well. They've arrived safe and sound and just needed a stretch of the legs this morning. It's all good at the moment. No issues. They're well used to travelling these horses from home (South Africa).”

Christophe Soumillon rode both horses throughout their Dubai campaigns but is unavailable for Hong Kong. Anthony Delpech, who won the 2005 AP QEII Cup on Vengeance Of Rain, takes the mount on Vercingetorix while HK based Olivier Doleuze has now been confirmed for Sanshaawes.

Epiphaneia - JPN

Worked over 1200m in 1m 28.2s (31.7, 30.4, 26.1)

Japanese runners Epiphaneia and Uncoiled arrived together at the all-weather track this morning. The two horses warmed up at a walk for one lap and started to canter on the next lap. Both were asked a bit more at a strong canter in the final straight under their regular riders before they each had a walk through the starting stalls.

Hiroyuki Suzuki, work rider, commented, “He looks much better in his condition than he did after he first flew into Hong Kong. I think he is now moving into a higher gear as we get nearer to Sunday. He was quick to launch the bid when I asked him this morning. He had good concentration, which was a good sign.”

Epiphaneia will gallop on turf tomorrow under jockey Yuichi Fukunaga, before a paddock test with the South African horses.

Uncoiled - JPN

Worked over 1200m in 1m 25.4s (29.9, 29.1, 26.4)

Jin Hamano, assistant trainer to Yoshito Yahagi, commented, “He is a French-bred horse, so he already had experience of travelling on the long journey from France to Japan as a yearling, that past experience has been good for him this time travelling to Hong Kong – he did it without any problem. He has not lost weight at all, rather, he has kept the same weight every day since he got here. We will give him a gallop on turf tomorrow with the work rider on board, under the supervision of the trainer (Yoshito Yahagi) who will arrive today.”

Yasuhiro Shibuta, work rider, commented, “Everything has gone well so far. He is in good form and has a good temperament. He eats up very well and is maintaining good condition. He was a bit tense with the other horses passing by and tried to go faster, but he was quick to settle. He has a really good mental condition. He has had a good preparation for tomorrow’s fast work.”

Champions Mile news

In other news, Champions Mile contender Gordon Lord Byron arrived safely at Sha Tin this morning; de Kock's Mile contender Variety Club is expected to arrive next Monday morning and the trainer himself will be in town next week for the G1 Mile. Japan’s Meiner Lacrima is due to arrive on Saturday and Mshawish will arrive Sunday morning.