With most of the local contenders enjoying a day off at the pool or on the treadmill following their fast piece of work the day before, all eyes were cast on the foreign raiders on Thursday.

Apart from 2007 Singapore Airlines International Cup winner SHADOW GATE and Hong Kong KrisFlyer International Sprint runner HAPPY ZERO, who both came out working on grass, and LIZARD'S DESIRE who had a walk, all the other internationals stepped onto the Polytrack for their morning exercises.

SINGAPORE AIRLINES INTERNATIONAL CUP

Al Shemali (UAE) - Ali Rashid Al Raihe

Steady canter on Polytrack over one lap with race jockey Royston Ffrench in the saddle.

"He went well today. We may have one last work for him tomorrow," said assistant-trainer Ghulam Jilani Saiddiqui.

"Other than that, he has continued to thrive and his weight is now a little less than his racing weight of 459kg.

"He tends to drop a little after his work but quickly puts it back on afterwards."

Ffrench, who was at his second workout with AL SHEMALI, could not fault his mount's condition with three days left to the big race.

"He is in great form. I gave him a steady canter over one lap and he seemed very happy," said Ffrench.

"Now it's down to the barrier draw. Like they say, it's the luck of the draw, and whatever we get, there is no turning back."

Gloria De Campeao (FRA) - Pascal Bary

Warm-up on the Polytrack over one lap before cantering on second lap and working home with track rider Christophe Bretez aboard.

"He went through the same routine again, but he went a little quicker up the home straight," said travelling foreman Josephine Soudan.

"He cantered from the 12, slowed down before home turn and picked up speed down the straight."

Yamanin Kingly (JPN) - Hiroshi Kawachi

Started off with a trot and then did a bit faster than pacework on the Polytrack, running last 600m in 35.1 seconds, last 200m in 11.4 seconds.

Assistant trainer Kenichi Ando rode the gelding in his workout on the Polytrack.

"He's all OK," said Ando. "All is on schedule and I was happy with his work this morning."

Shadow Gate (JPN) - Yukihiro Kato

Canter on the turf track, speeding up over the first 600m of the final 1200m in 45 secs, the last 600m in 36.7 seconds, last 200m in 12 seconds.

Trainer Yukihiro Kato was on hand to watch the gallop of SHADOW GATE on Thursday morning and was happy with what he saw.

"He was in the same condition as he was in Japan before he left. I was happy with what I saw.

"I was very happy with his gallop. His times were what I wanted. It was the same times as he usually runs."

Although winless for almost three years before his success in March, Kato said the entire had not lost his form.

"He had been going well over that time, it was just we didn't have the chance to come back," he said.

A galloper that likes to race from the front, Kato said he would prefer the track to be a bit softer.

"The ground is harder than the last time I was here," said Kato.

Presvis (GB) (pictured) - Luca Cumani

Cantered over 1400m on the Polytrack.

"He cantered over 1400m and he looked good," said assistant-trainer Charlie Henson.

"He then went to the paddock again for another look. He was all relaxed.

"Today's the post position draw and fingers crossed, no wide draw this time (last year Henson pulled the outermost alley), but really it doesn't matter all that much as he gets back.

"Hopefully he gets a good pace - unlike in Hong Kong in the Audemars Piguet QEII Cup - and I think there are two or three who can set a genuine pace."

Lizard's Desire (SA) - Mike de Kock

Easy day walking and trotting on the grass track.

"He just went for a walk today. It's his day off so he can recuperate," said assistant-trainer Steven Jell.

Lahaleeb (BAH) - Fawzi Nass

Canter over six furlongs on the Polytrack with race jockey John Egan in the saddle.

"She had just some slow work today but it was a very nice piece of work," said Egan.

"She was a little fresh before breaking into her canter. The track felt nice, probably a little more forgiving than in Dubai."

Bahrain trainer Fawzi Nass, who arrived on Wednesday, was on hand to supervise the filly, whom he has only been applying the polish to since December.

"She looks well, but I guess the only way to find out is Sunday when she races," said Nass.

"She's already done all her work in Dubai before she flew here. So, we will just keep her ticking over.

"I'm not sure if I'll give her a gallop. I'll see how she goes but it's going to be a close call.

"I'm still getting to know her better as she's run only two races for me in Dubai - on Super Thursday and in the Dubai Duty Free, but she seems to have acclimatised very well here."

Drovetti (SG) - Steven Burridge

Had a walk and a swim.

"He just had a light morning," said trainer Steven Burridge. "He went for a walk and a swim after his gallop yesterday.

"I'll just give him some light work until raceday."

Goldschatz (SG) - Stephen Gray

Just walked on the treadmill.

"He galloped well yesterday and I think he's improved from his last run," said trainer Stephen Gray.

"I'm under no illusion that it is a tough race, but he's fit and well and in good condition.

"If he can be the first of the local horses home and beat a few of the lesser internationals and pick up some of the money, then I'll be happy."

Waikato (SG) - Laurie Laxon

Just had a swim.

"That is my usual program with my horses following a gallop," said trainer Laurie Laxon. "He's fit and well and going nicely."

KRISFLYER INTERNATIONAL SPRINT

Gold Trail (AUS) - Gary Portelli

Canter on the Polytrack, last 600m in 41.1 seconds, the last 200m in 12.9 seconds.

Trainer Gary Portelli was happy with what he saw after watching GOLD TRAIL's trackwork this morning.

"He lost a couple of kilos on the flight over but has put on 3kg since he's been here," said Portelli.

"I knew the travelling wasn't going to be an issue as he handled his trip to New Zealand without any worries.

"He looks better here than when he landed in New Zealand where he was a bit tucked up."

Although GOLD TRAIL finished in last position at his only run left handed, Portelli pointed out that the race had been run on wet ground.

"It was an absolute bog," said Portelli. "They watered the track and then it rained. Michael (Rodd) said he wasn't handling the ground and just shut him down.

"His rider (Olivier Placais) has said he's been getting on his right leg without any problems and I have learned to never doubt this horse.

"He is so laid back that you just never know where he is at sometimes, but I think he's in good order and ready to run a good race."

Eagle Falls (AUS) - David Hayes

Quiet canter on the Polytrack with travelling foreman Lizzy Jelfs up.

"He seems to have come through very well, he's very bright, eating well. It's full steam ahead," said assistant-trainer Tom Dabernig and nephew to David Hayes. "He had just a long steady canter over one lap on the Polytrack. He's ready for Sunday."

Happy Zero (HK) - John Moore

Gallop on grass track with race jockey Darren Beadman doing the steering. Last 600m in 36.4 seconds and last 200m in 11.8 seconds.

"I watched him gallop at the 200m and he finished his work off very nicely," said trainer John Moore who was on hand to oversee his charge's Kranji work for the first time.

"I'm very happy with his work. Darren said he took just a bit longer to change his legs but he seems to be okay running this way of going.

"He's raced the anticlockwise way back in Australia before he came to us and even in Hong Kong, we work that way on Mondays. We don't envision any problem.

"Tomorrow he will just have a hack around. He's fit as he just raced last week (May 1) over 1200m (Sprint Cup) when they walked.

"We'll see how things go. Ideally I'd like to draw in.

"It will be a tough race if they go 1min 7secs like last year. That's slick but I think he's ready to take on your giant (ROCKET MAN).

"One World ran third and ROCKET MAN was second in the Golden Shaheen. One World is a genuine horse but HAPPY ZERO is a fraction better than him.

"HAPPY ZERO's next targets are the Golden Jubilee in June and the July Cup in England and then he'll spell at Hillwood Farm in Newbury Way before we bring him back for our big races in December."

Beadman, who will take just one ride aboard HAPPY ZERO on Sunday, was also pleased with his KrisFlyer contender's progress.

"He worked very nicely this morning and pulled up very well," said Beadman.

"He was looking around a lot but he is probably more relaxed without all the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong.

"It will be his first time this way of going but he seems to have handled it pretty good."

Joy And Fun (HK) - Derek Cruz

Just had a light canter on the Polytrack.

"He's getting better by the day," said Martin Cruz, son of trainer Derek.

"He's nice and relaxed and is enjoying his time here. Everything is in good order."

Green Birdie (HK) - Caspar Fownes

Cantered over two laps of Polytrack with track rider Dale Bussey aboard.

"He's a lot more used to the heat now. He doesn't sweat up as much," said Bussey.

"He had just two quiet rounds of slow work and we're just happy to keep him ticking over now.

"He's fit and all we need now is get a good barrier gate. I have to say we've so far been pretty lucky with the draws with Sanziro and Bowman's Crossing, and I hope our luck continues this year."

Mariol (FRA) - Robert Collet

Cantered over 1100m on the Polytrack and a quick dash up the straight with track rider Nadege Ouakli up. Last 600m in 37.7 seconds and last 200m in 12 seconds.

"He looks impeccable. No problem at all," said owner Micheline Vidal and wife of trainer Robert Collet.

"I think he is used to the heat better than he did in Dubai. Besides it was his first-up run then and it makes it even more difficult when the climate is different. "He also drew barrier No 1 on the straight course which did not help him as he tends to come from behind. However on this track with a turn here, I wouldn't mind barrier No 1 at all!

"He's the type of horse who needs to have some cover from behind as he has a very nice turn of foot."

Ms Vidal said Collet would not come to Singapore to watch MARIOL race due to racing commitments back home.

"Robert can't make it as he has a runner in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches on Sunday - Royal Bench - and she should be one of the favourites," said Ms Vidal.

"He's got a good team here and they've done a great job with the horse. We're yet to decide if he will work on grass or Polytrack tomorrow."

Cheyenne Dancer (SG) & Ntini (SG) - Michael Freedman

Had a swim and a walk.

"Both horses pulled up well following their workouts yesterday," said Freedman. "They just went for a swim and a walk this morning.

"They'll have a trot and canter tomorrow and Saturday.

"They both will go into the race fit and well and if the race was 1400m or a mile I would be pretty confident that CHEYENNE DANCER could fill a place.

"I think he's going as well now as in any other time since he's been with me and if he draws a barrier I think he can finish in the top five."

Mexican Rose (SG) - Laurie Laxon

Had a swim this morning.

As with WAIKATO, she followed the same routine and just had a swim. "She is fit and well and all is good," said trainer Laurie Laxon.

Rocket Man (SG) - Patrick Shaw

A light canter over one lap on the Polytrack.

"I didn't want him doing too much," said trainer Patrick Shaw. "I thought one lap would be enough.

"He does too much sometimes and I wanted him to go slow.

"(Jockey) Robbie (Fradd) said he was pulling his arms out. He's well and in good form and I'm happy with where he is at."