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While still chilly the sun did finally reappear and it is supposed to be getting better for the weekend.

Horses working on the turf this morning included the sole Aussie rep In Her Time who will line up in the Sprint on Sunday.  She looked good and seemed to be working well.  Zaaki had to be persuaded to head down the turf track but once that was done all went smoothly.  Zaaki continued on to Parade Ring Schooling where he was joined by fellow countrymen Young Rascal and Aspetar, the French filly Edisa and the Japanese runners Indy Champ, Danon Smash, Lucky Lilac and Admire Mars.

John Moore was interviewed by Steve Moran in the first of the media conferences.  Speaking of Aethero he said the horse normally took a couple of strides to get going but he's clean winded and performed well in the previous day's work.  He allowed that the weight advantage as a southern hemisphere 3yo was an asset particularly in the early sectionals.

Of his other runners he conceded that Eagle Way, who has had throat issues, was probably past his best but warned us not to give up on Beauty Generation.

Alain de Royer-Dupre followed talking about his 3yo filly Edisa said that she was a good filly who travelled well to America and had been improving all season and that she would certainly be even better at four.  He wasn't worried about the trip as her dam had won the Prix Royallieu over 2800m.

Frankie Lor explained that he would leave tactics in the Cup to jockey Hugh Bowman who knows Furore well.  Glorious Forever had trialled well and could lead.  Mr Stunning, who had won the last two editions of the Sprint was returning from a stress fracture of the shoulder and while coming along nicely could probably have benefited from another start before this race.

Roger Charlton, apart from regaling us with tales of his life in the wild west of Australia in his youth, explained that he had kept Aspetar on the dirt track as he seemed happy on that surface.  His horse was tough and had travelled well after his first flight.  He said that as they raced in England for "buttons" they had to travel horses in search of prize money.  He told us something of the impressive record of his young jockey Jason Watson who certainly sounds impressive.

Hatakeyama-sensei was pleased to be back in Hong Kong with Win Bright, who had won the QEII Cup in April.  He said that finishing 8th behind Almond Eye was not great but that Win Bright was probably now as good as he was in April. 

Tomorrow we shall look at the form in detail.