To the surprise of some, last year’s Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup winner Presvis did only light work on the all-weather track at Sha Tin this morning. But Charlie Henson, assistant to Newmarket-based Italian trainer Luca Cumani, was perfectly satisfied with what he’d seen.

“All good” said Henson. “He was ready when we left Dubai. He’ll have one more morning gallop and that’ll be it.”

Presvis himself looked equally composed and relaxed, as well as match fit, as he did an easy canter under regular work rider Michel Rakotoarisoa, who partners him in trackwork for all his international forays, and Rakotoarisoa seemed just as satisfied as he gave Henson a nod as the duo walked past his viewing point by the winning post.

South African duo Lizard’s Desire and Imbongi tuned up pleasingly on the all-weather surface and to the satisfaction of Steven Jell, trainer Mike de Kock’s assistant. Dubai World Cup runner-up Lizard’s Desire took a nice pull under his work rider with Imbongi leading the way over the final 400 metres.

“The idea was for Lizard’s Desire to go off in front and for Imbongi to come around him for the last section and it went well. We are sticking to a formula that has worked before and I’m very happy with their condition leading to Sunday,” said Jell.

Team De Kock has won the APQEII Cup in 2006 and 2008 with Irridescence and Archipenko after his Greys Inn ran an excellent second to the great Vengeance Of Rain in 2005. De Kock-trained Eagle Mountain also landed the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup in 2008.

As such, it’s obvious that whatever the South African trainer sends to Sha Tin commands total respect.

Australia’s Champions Mile contender Dao Dao continued to impress in his work which appears to have his trainer Michael Hawkes, and his at home training partners father John and brother Wayne, at peace with the world and quietly optimistic about his chances on Sunday.

The gelding literally bounced on to the track when rider Shane Lister ever so slightly loosened his grip as they ventured on to the all-weather circuit. ‘That’s a good indicator as to how he’s feeling. He wants to be out there,’ said John Hawkes.

‘It’s a good sign that he knows when to switch on but otherwise he’s very relaxed which is important here as you don’t want them getting revved up before the race. He’s as good as we can have him,’ he said.

Dao Dao ran his last 400 metres in a comfortable 24.6 seconds in work which Lister succinctly described as ‘very nice’.

Champion jockey Douglas Whyte takes the ride on the Australian bred Brave Kid who has made a big impact with six wins in his first season but Whyte is cautious about his prospects.

‘He’s been up since November when he started off at 1000 metres and progressed all the way through to Derby which we had him peaking for. It’s been a solid preparation and it’s hard for them to keep coming up,’ Whyte said.

Trainer John Size has a similar view. “He’s made a lot of progress but has been well placed to win his six races. He didn’t look anything special last time out (in the Chairman’s Trophy) and the winner of this race on Sunday is usually rated a lot higher than he is,’ he said.

Size also has last year’s winner Sight Winner aiming for a repeat. “I’d say he’s in similar form to last year and with a bit of luck, and perhaps a bit of rain, he can be in the finish. He might be ignored again but they can’t all be in the market and I think he has a realistic hope of winning it,’ he said.

Whyte will ride the Derby winner Super Satin in the APQEII Cup. He’s been aboard the four-year-old at his past seven starts and won five. ‘He’s always given me a good feel and on pure raw ability he could surprise but it’s a big ask for him at this stage of his career,’ he said.

Takafumi Aoki, the travelling head lad to trainer Masanori Ito, was very much confident about the APQEII Cup contender from Japan, Never Bouchon, who undertook slow work on the all-weather track. “He had a final gallop yesterday before the big race on Sunday, so today was a slow day for him. I think he is now ready for the serious action of the race.”

Ito was also on hand as the horse, who drew gate one in yesterday’s barrier draw, went through his paces this morning. After watching the work, he walked on the turf course and checked the track condition very carefully. “The grass seems to be long. Track condition on the rail looks very good which will suit him. He will put in a slow canter on the turf again tomorrow morning.”