Trainer Mike de Kock’s APQEII Cup duo IGUGU and TREASURE BEACH appeared on the Sha Tin track this morning for the first time since their arrival, joining fellow internationals EISHIN FLASH and SAJJHAA in little more than a stretch of the legs on the all-weather track.

Faster work is planned, later in the week, for all four who looked in good shape notwithstanding that de Kock’s pair were both inclined to sweat up under the saddle.

The globetrotting trainer from South Africa predicted, post World Cup, that both horses were capable of improving on their performances in Dubai. TREASURE BEACH, then trained by Aidan O’Brien, was 9th from the outside barrier 13 in last year’s APQEII Cup while first time visitor IGUGU has the imposing record of seven wins from eight starts right handed.  

Meanwhile, SAJJHAA who three times had the better of IGUGU in Dubai, continues to please the Godolphin team steered, until Saeed bin Surror’s arrival, by his assistant Tommy Burns.

Relaxed was again the key word from Burns who is concerned that the mare does not get too ‘stirred up’ on the track. “She was pretty good again this morning, a little bit keen but not too bad,” he said.

SAJJHAA chases Hong Kong glory off the back of a brilliant win in the Dubai Duty Free – the same race from which emerged the 2008 and 2009 winners ARCHIPENKO and PRESVIS.

It would be quite a feat for the six-year-old mare whose career looked like it might well be over when she sustained a fetlock fracture. “She had two screws inserted in the right hind fetlock. It might have spelled the end but the vet said it would be OK to try her again and she gradually gained in confidence and her two runs late last year, in England and Italy, were solid.

“Then it was off to Dubai where she really blossomed with the four wins on the turf at Meydan,” Burns said.

Burns mentioned he has some concerns about SAJJHAA coping with the intensity and fanfare of the parade ring on raceday at Sha Tin but added that the signs were so far positive in terms of her coping with a new environment.

Japanese contender EISHIN FLASH had a routine canter on the all-weather track with stable representative Mitsumasa Nakauchida on hand. “The horse is in very good form. The distance is his best trip, so we just hope he gets some luck.

“He had success with jockey Mirco Demuro winning the Tenno Sho (Autumn) last year, so Demuro will partner him again on Sunday. EISHIN FLASH had a very busy campaign last season, so he’s had only one start this year, but he is a very fit horse and ready for the big event.

“I walked the track this morning and it was not too firm, not too heavy and good for him. The track suits him. The flight went well, and he has settled down well at the moment. He’s cleaned up his feed and is in good condition. He will breeze on the turf tomorrow, but it won’t be a long hit-out, only for three to four furlongs to give him a feel on the track,” Nakauchida said.