HK horses in Singapore

[imaufo]

HK foursome out to beat the heat in Kranji
Alan Aitken
The Singapore heat is having a bearing on the preparations of Hong Kong's representatives for the million-dollar events at Kranji on Saturday, but trainers Ivan Allan and David Hayes both gave their runners positive reports yesterday.
Allan runs Olympic Express and the nine-year-old Indigenous in the $13 million Singapore Airlines International Cup, while his Centenary Sprint Cup winner Firebolt will oppose the Hayes-trained Charming City in the $4.3 million KrisFlyer Sprint.
"It's warm, about 90 degrees Fahrenheit. That's to be expected at any time of the year in Singapore," said Allan, himself a former denizen of the Lion City. "But the boxes are good and air-conditioned and the horses are comfortable."
The four horses arrived together in Singapore last Wednesday and both trainers reported some weight losses.
"Generally, they all travelled well," Allan said. "A little bit light on landing but nothing to be alarmed about. Olympic Express is a bit more fragile than the others and lost a few pounds on the flight, but not too much. Normally I would bring horses over a little closer to the event, but with Singapore being so warm, they came a bit earlier to give them time to get over the travelling."
Hayes said last-start Chairman's Sprint Prize winner Charming City had lost 25 pounds during his flight, but all in all was in good shape. "He's really good. The weight he lost is no more than you would expect him to lose but he is eating and drinking well since arriving and I would estimate that, by race day, Charming City will be back to the same weight he was in the Chairman's Sprint," he said.
The Australian added he had altered the sprinter's regular work routine for the climate.
"He's quite a free sweater and it's quite hot, so I've decided to give him his final serious lead-up work [tomorrow] instead of Thursday when he would normally have it. In the heat, he will lose a bit in sweat and it gives him another 24 hours to get over the gallop."
Allan's three runners were out at Kranji yesterday morning and he was pleased with the low-key work they completed. "They all did much the same thing - trotted first, then a bit of half pace and came down the straight about 400 metres at three-quarter speed nicely on the bridle," he explained.
"They all stretched out nicely, pulled up clean and I'm happy enough with them. They will improve over the next few days. If I had any worry at this stage, it would be that Olympic Express was a little off his feed for a couple of days. Nothing major, but he is not a robust type of horse and the heat and the change of surroundings obviously had its effect."

[imaufo]

Profiles.
Singapore Racing will be welcoming many international stars on to their tracks over the wekend. The profiles of these runners are:
ATLANTIS PRINCE – Unbeaten at two he had a quite year at three where a top class run in the Gr 1 Prix Lupin was his seasonal highlight where he was beaten about three lengths by Chichicastenango. Most recent form was a 9 length second to Champion Sakhee on the dirt. Could be a big improver this year.
BOCELLI – Went from strength to strength as a four year old last season. Has not been seen at his best so far this year and would require a big jump up in form to challenge here.
GRANDERA – Top class on his day. Thrice placed in Gr 1 company he undoubtedly has the credentials to be a major force in this event. Not seen at his best in Hong Kong and a big run is expected here.
HAWKEYE – Been set for this event this exciting four year old showed form just below the best of his generation last year. His run in Hong Kong last December suggests that with maturity he will be a big factor over this trip.
HOEBERG – Displayed a dashing turn of foot in the Dubai Duty Free when coming from last to snare third to Terre A Terre. A repeat of that form must put her into the reckoning.
INDIGENOUS – Unbelievable performance behind the Japanese in the AP QE II Cup. Still shows a zest for competition even at his age. Can he run two of those races in a row though?
OLYMPIC EXPRESS – Had the Hong Kong Derby form reversed on him in the AP QE II. That looked all wrong and a better showing is expected here. Looks likely to be just held by the Europeans though.
PALACE LINE – Top class three year old. Favoured to win the UAE Derby in which he appeared to not stay on dirt. If that run is forgiven he must be considered the major local hope on his Singapore Classic victory.
PAOLINI – Seasoned Gr 1 performer. Has a victory over Kutub last term and is clearly able at this level. Must be considered one of the major contenders.
SADDLE UP – Game performer who usually gives his best. Should be held in this company.
TAPILDO – Struggling at this level. Is at her best on this track but will need to find a huge step up in form to be a threat.
TERRE A TERRE – Had the run of the race in Dubai to win the Duty Free. Is clearly a classy performer at this trip and will be challenging for top honours.
UNIVERSAL PRINCE – Genuine Gr 1 form. Looked a bit flat footed in the sprint to the line in Hong Kong and will definitely prefer a good pace to be able to kick home. Respect again.
WESTERN PRIDE – Capable performer on turf. Disappointed in the World Cup where he seemed to over race. Will largely be ignored here which may put him in a good hunting role.
AIR THULE – Game mare who has performed well up to a mile. Dropped back to 1200 at her last start. Must respect these Japanese travellers but this should be too hot for her.
BALL SIDER – Top class Argentine three year old. He reversed the form of a Gr 1 defeat in his latest start and could be a real flyer. Failed only attempt at 1200m in heavy going.
BLIZZ BLESS – Has reeled off five in a row. Each win has shown a step up in form and ratings. This is by far the biggest test to date.
CALLER ONE – Has claims to being the best sprinter in the world right now. Yet to race on turf but is going to be very hard to beat.
CHARMING CITY – Pulverized the opposition at his last Hong Kong start. Clearly likes the extended sprint and should again be a factor.
DANGER OVER – Consistent Gr 3 performer. Has shown winning form already this year so must be considered in this company.
FIREBOLT – European form is solid. Lost any chance he had at the start of his last race. Obviously has loads of ability and should be given another chance.
NORTH BOY – Up and coming Australian sprinter. No luck in a couple of recent races but is clearly loaded with talent. Faces his toughest test to date.
SUPERB EFFECT – Top-flight sprinter. Returns after lengthy injury enforced lay off but trialled well recently. If at his best he will be a factor.
TIT FOR TAAT – Seasoned campaigner at the top level in New Zealand. Takes a big jump in quality of opposition here.
TOLEDO – Ran third in this race last year and comes off the back of a Gr 1 win in the Australia Stakes. Is reported to be retiring after this.
TRILLION WIN – Nearly blitzed to a win in last years race. Has not been the same horse since after two poor runs in Hong Kong.
YORICK – Course record holder at the trip but looks held by Blizz Bless on their last run. Does get the trip well and will enjoy the likely hot pace.
Singapore Turf Club News Release

[cheesebeast]

Trackwork info
Candidates work in the rain
SINGAPORE, 7 May 2002
The Singapore Racecourse, which hosts the third running of the S$3 million International Group 1 Singapore Airlines International Cup (SAIC) and for the first time the third leg of the World Series Racing Championship, was hit by heavy rain, which fell throughout the morning trackwork.
Hong Kong trainer Ivan Allan, a former seven-time local champion and three-time Hong Kong champion was on hand to supervise the morning exercise of his SAIC challengers.
The veteran INDIGENOUS, and Hong Kong Derby winner OLYMPIC EXPRESS, as well as FIREBOLT who is a candidate in the S$1 million International Group 3 Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Sprint, cantered on the sand.
FIREBOLT momentarily took off with his work rider down the backstretch, after he had completed his routine canter.
Afterwards Allan said, "That’s okay, the horse is a little bit like that, he has a mind of his own at times. INDIGENOUS seems to be in good form, but he needs there to be a good pace in the race, as his best distance is now beyond 2,000 metres. I was very proud of the way he ran in the Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup in Hong Kong last time."
OLYMPIC EXPRESS is in good order. He was at this peak for the Hong Kong Derby and perhaps not at his best in the AP QEII Cup, where his draw in barrier 1 did not help him at all," he added.
The three European challengers for the SAIC used the sand track to do a steady exercise.
HAWKEYE, who arrived here on 30 April 2002 is pleasing Claire Sparkes, travelling head girl for trainer Michael Jarvis. The horse cantered a lap under regular work rider Bob Parkinson. HAWKEYE, who has not run since finishing fourth in the Group 1 Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin last December, will again be ridden by outstanding Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens, who arrives on Friday from California.
HAWKEYE was accompanied by the globe-trotting German challenger PAOLINI, who is trained by Andreas Wohler, well known to the Singapore racegoers as the handler of SILVANO. PAOLINI will be ridden on Saturday by jockey Andreas Suborics who accompanied SILVANO in the S$1 million Singapore Cup victory last year.
The French mare TERRE A TERRE, fresh from her stunning victory in the US$2 million Dubai Duty Free (Gr.1) in March, looked very relaxed and seemed at home on the sand, doing a gentle exercise.
The mare will be out for fast work on Thursday, when she will be supervised by her up-and-coming young trainer Eric Libaud. She is the intended mount of young French star Christophe Soumillon.
UNIVERSAL PRINCE, under big-race jockey Justin Sheehan, used the turf to impress track watchers with a strong gallop over 2,000 metres. Afterwards Sheehan told his trainer Bede Murray: "I’ve no complaints, that is as good as he has ever worked."
Trainer Murray added, "We were very lucky this morning. In his warm-up he tore a shoe off his near-fore, but it came off clean as a whistle and did no damage at all, so he galloped without the plate. He has done well since Hong Kong, and I think this track will suit him better."
The Saeed bin Suroor trained raiders from Dubai, GRANDERA and ATLANTIS PRINCE exercised together at about 5.00 am. Godolphin’s travelling head-lad Ross Campbell reported that they were both in very good form, and that he was pleased that ATLANTIS PRINCE has been accepted as a late replacement for the injured JIM AND TONIC.
World champion jockey Frankie Dettori will again partner GRANDERA, runner-up in the Eclipse Stakes (Gr.1) in England last season, and a fifth-place finisher in the Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup (Gr.1) at Sha Tin on his most recent start.
ATLANTIS PRINCE, a Group 2 winner as a two-year-old in England, last ran at Nad al Sheba in Dubai when he finished second in a Conditions Race to the outstanding Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner SAKHEE.
American Challengers WESTERN PRIDE, who will be ridden in the SAIC by locally based jockey Frederic Sanchez, and his stable companion, the outstanding sprinter and two-time winner of the Dubai Golden Shaheen (Gr.1), CALLER ONE, both remained in the quarantine barn during the morning downpour, preferring to walk the shed row.
CALLER ONE, who will be ridden on Saturday by trainer Jim Chapman’s sister Kristi Chapman, will be having his first start on turf.
Of the other International challengers in the Singapore Airlines Krisflyer Sprint, the Pascal Bary-trained French colt DANGER OVER had no more than a routine canter on the sand, as did the Australian challenger and third placed finisher in this race last year, the Russell Cameron-trained TOLEDO. The New Zealand challenger TIT FOR TAAT, trained by Wayne Herbert, was also confined to slower paces, and will be ridden by Mark du Plessis on race day.
The most aggressive piece of trackwork was put in by NORTH BOY, who caught the eye as he breezed down the turf course.

[corkey boy]

Universal Prince; North Boy and Toledo have all been impressing the track watchers at Kranji. The three contenders are preparing for the S$3 million International Group 1 Singapore Airlines International Cup (SAIC) and the Singapore Airlines Krisflyer Sprint.
Heavy rain fell throughout yesterday mornings track work
Third placed finisher in the Krisflyer Sprint last year, the Russell Cameron-trained TOLEDO had a routine canter on the sand.
UNIVERSAL PRINCE, under jockey Justin Sheehan, used the turf to impress track watchers with a strong gallop over 2,000 metres. Afterwards Sheehan told his trainer Bede Murray: "I've no complaints, that is as good as he has ever worked."
Murray added, "We were very lucky this morning. In his warm-up he tore a shoe off his near-fore, but it came off clean as a whistle and did no damage at all, so he galloped without the plate. He has done well since Hong Kong, and I think this track will suit him better."
The most aggressive piece of trackwork was apparently put in by NORTH BOY, who made many a head turn as he breezed down on the turf.
Justin Sheehan wil ride Universal Prince; Greg Childs will be on North Boy and Steven Arnold will ride Toledo.

[Horny Harry]

Singapore
Universal Prince looked very fit and well before the race and had been working strongly going into the race.
Justin Sheehan had Universal Prince travelling beautifully on the rails and was looking to make his move at the home turn when he clipped heels ( perhaps Grandera's) and crashed heavily. Universal Prince ended up lying on his back and Justin was lucky that he didnt get trodden on as horses galloped over him
How unlucky...he looked certain to at least run a place and may have challenged Grandera. Luckily however horse and rider OK...Universal Prince was up and on his feet in no time ( wondering what had happenned) and by all reports Justin OK too.
from Judge
Universal Prince was travelling sweetly in fourth spot on the fence for Sheehan, but just on straightening he clipped the heels of the weakening disputer Atlantis Prince and fell.
Atlantis Prince? He was the Godolphin travelling companion for the eventual winner Grandera and was in the race for one purpose and one purpose only - as a pacemaker. He had the lowest international rating in the race and was quoted at 100-1+ with all the European online bookies. He was purchased by Godolphin specifically as a pacemaker. In his last four starts, Atlantis Prince ran last in a G1 in France, 16th of 19 in the Italian Derby beaten 22len. His two runs this year were 6th in a listed race in Dubai before running 9len 2nd of 5 behind Sakhee in Dubai - a race that was put on as a conditioning race for Sakhee's World Cup bid. His total prizemoney is approx US 120k - comfortably the lowest of any other runner in this International Event.
In a nutshell - Atlantis Prince did not deserve to be in the field and was only in there for one agenda.
Last night Atlantis Prince trailed the unexpected leader Western Pride but pulled out to attack him with 600m to go.
Should the connections of Universal Prince have something to gripe about???

[Horny Harry]

GRANDERA (Winner) SIMON CRISFORD -- RACING MANAGER GODOLPHIN
That was great, the race was set up well for us. He's come on since Hong Kong and will be a very nice international horse for us. It is a marvellous racecourse and we have been so well looked after by the Singapore Turf Club. I'm not sure of his next run but he could well be aimed at the Arlington Million.
Frankie DETTORI ( GRANDERA)
He was a very consistent horse in Europe last year. The race set up very well for him and he ran up to his best of last year. 300 metres out I was one and a half lengths off PAOLINI, and when I asked him he delivered. It is great to win again here.
Andreas SUBORICS (PAOLINI) -- 2nd
I had a perfect trip, I had to cross to the inner from my wide draw. He made ground very easily and in fact came to lead too soon, but the winner won well in the end, so it made no difference.
ANDREAS WOHLER (PAOLINI ) - Trainer
I'm really pleased with the way my horse ran, he's run a great race, particularly from that draw. Maybe he got to the front too soon but I don't think it made any difference.
Olivier DOLEUZE (INDIGENOUS) -- 3rd
I had a great trip, I followed the pace and he's run well. He given me everything as he does in all his race. He has got a great heart, I love him.
Ivan ALLAN -- trainer INDIGENOUS (3RD) OLYMPIC EXPRESS (4TH)
I'm very pleased with both my horses, Olympic Expres is improving. Last year he would have been lengths behind GRANDERA but his performance shows he is closing that gap. INDIGENOUS has run another very honest race. I would love to be able to put his heart into a three year old.
Michael JARVIS (HAWKEYE) -- 5TH
I'm not too disappointed, I think he will now benefit from stepping up in distance to 1m 4f
Gary STEVENS ( HAWKEYE) -- Jockey -- 5th
He was traveling well but then they kicked pretty good in the straight. He stays 12 furlongs but he hasn't got a big turn of foot.
Andy SMITH (Manager for Gary Tanaka, Owner of HAWKEYE)
We will now step him in trip to 12 furlongs and he will probably go for the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.
J GEROUDIS (PALACE LINE) -- 6TH
He ran a very good race. At this stage of his career he doesn't get 2000 metres. He's a very immature horse but I was very happy with him and in six months time you will see a difference horse. It was a superb run.
K SHEA (HOEBERG) -- 7th
It was a very fast pace and the pacemakers were coming back at us. I could see UNIVERSAL PRINCE was going for a gap and when he fell he nearly brought me down. She wouldn't have won but we lost more than two lengths and I think we may have been fourth.
Yutaka TAKE ( ATLANTIS PRINCE) -- 9th
My instructions were to go off in front, it was a very fast pace and I couldn't get to the lead. This is not a group one level horse, but he is a very good horse and I was very happy to ride him.
F SANCHEZ (WESTERN PRIDE) - 11th
We were cruising, but he got really tired in the last two furlongs. I have a feeling that Universal Prince may have clipped my horse's heels. I heard him shout but could do nothing.
Patrick BUSUTTIN (Trainer) BOCELLI -- 12TH
He was under pressure coming round the turn, but usually he runs on ,unfortunately Universal Prince fell right in front of him and he had to jump over which stopped him dead and that was that.
Bede MURRAY (TRAINER) UNIVERSAL PRINCE -- Fell
Justin is fine and the horse is fine, for now. We will know more about the horse in the morning. The inside horse rolled out and a horse came up on his outside and closed the gap, he clipped heels.
Singapore Turf Club News Release
By: Jo Adams - Sunday, 12 May 2002