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| Sumita Pawar |
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The Longines Hong Kong International Races team led by Aidan O’Brien is gradually picking up pace as his four-strong squad took a stroll at Sha Tin on Monday.
Aesop’s Fables, Cairo, Luxembourg, and Warm Heart arrived in Hong Kong on Saturday and cantered a lap of the all-weather track. Pat Keating, the stable representative, confirmed that everything is going according to plan so far.
“They got here on Saturday morning, and everything has been great, not a bother with them. This was their first time on the track this week, just an easy lap behind the lead horse. We’ll just be gradually building it up through the week, but we’re very happy with them,” Keating said.
Aiming for his fourth Group One Hong Kong Vase victory, O’Brien will be racing with his star three-year-old filly Warm Heart. Additionally, he has his sights set on winning maiden victories in the other three elite-level features on Sunday.
Among the Irish master’s raiding party, Luxembourg is the biggest name and will be competing against Romantic Warrior in the Gr.1 Hong Kong Cup. Cairo will be racing against Golden Sixty in the Group One Hong Kong Mile, while Aesop’s Fables will be up against Lucky Sweynesse in the Group One Hong Kong Sprint.
French trainer Andre Fabre’s pair, Hong Kong Mile runner Tribalist and Hong Kong Vase participant Junko, are in good shape according to stable representative Richard Lambert.
“It’s the same whenever we travel horses. The work has already been done, and it’s a case of recuperation and then keeping them ticking over. They’ll do no more than usual,” Lambert said.
“They’ve both travelled over well and settled in. It was quite cold when we left Chantilly, whereas it’s quite warm here for the time of year. The horses are well. Junko has already been to Dubai, but this is a first voyage for Tribalist, and it helps that they are together.”