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| Staff Writer |
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Attending the international races in Hong Kong last weekend provided an interesting opportunity to observe Aidan O'Brien in action as he prepared for the races. Steph Cooley, International Racing Department Manager at the Dubai Racing Club, was also present in Hong Kong to scout for next year's World Cup meeting, and she couldn't have missed the masterclass of preparation put on by O'Brien.
For years, O'Brien has been targeting overseas races for various Coolmore partners, and his usual approach is to leave everything to his trusted travelling head man Pat Keating and his team of work riders until he flies in, often at the last moment and sometimes on the day of the races. However, this time was different. O'Brien arrived in Hong Kong early on Wednesday morning, a few days before the races, and was out on the track at Sha Tin racecourse before 9 am local time. His big-race runners, accompanied by a stablemate, walked out of the quarantine area for the first time, and O'Brien was right there with them, showing his commitment to their success.
O'Brien's professionalism extended to the horses, who were split equally among the four Group Ones and maintained strict order behind stablemate The Prairie. The Prairie led the way for Luxemburg, Cairo, Aesop's Fables, and Warm Heart, who followed in strict single file until the lead horse gave way, leaving the rest to work more seriously, all the while making sure they stayed in the same order at the finishing point.
The fact that the horses were allowed a companion, whom O'Brien described as "Luxemburg's lead horse and his friend," was indicative of the Hong Kong Jockey Club's regard for Coolmore's support for the meeting. As one senior official said: "If they want to bring four runners, they can certainly bring one more."
O'Brien was exceptionally visible throughout his five-day stay, making all four gate selections during the barrier draw ceremony, giving interviews to print and video media, taking selfies with spectators attending morning work, and signing autographs on the big day itself. He was also extremely open about the reasons why the four runners were taking up the challenge. The two established horses, Luxembourg and Warm Heart, had good chances, while the other 3YOs, Cairo and Aesop's Fables, were identified to test their aptitude for future travelling.
Although the team went home without a win, Warm Heart finished an honorable third to Junko in the Vase, and Luxemburg made local favorite Romantic Warrior pull out all the stops when beaten a short head in the Cup. Aesop's Fables had the hardest task in the Sprint, but he was only beaten by six lengths, and Cairo finished about the same distance behind the outstanding Mile winner Golden Sixty. Meydan could well beckon if the right approaches are made.