Trainer Derek Cruz remains unperturbed by a foot injury to his 'war horse' Joy And Fun, as both of Hong Kong's Royal Ascot representatives battle slight setbacks ahead of the King's Stand Stakes in just under two weeks.
Cruz laughed when asked if a bruised heel on his rising nine-year-old was a concern; after all, his horse has bounced back from two injuries considered career-ending on most occasions - a fractured wither as a young horse and then a broken cannon bone suffered in the 2010 King's Stand.
'He is a trojan - with all the major injuries he has had - a fractured wither, shoulder problems, a broken cannon bone, what else can you throw at him? He is a war horse,' said Cruz.
'His foot injury is settling down, it is coming along nicely and he is moving a lot better in the mornings now. He is right up to the mark and he produced two very good pieces of work before he left.'
Cruz's son, Trevor, left with Joy And Fun just over a week ago, and the trainer will join them on Monday at the stables of Jane Chapple-Hyam.
'I'll ride the horse when I get there and get a better feel on whether he is feeling good,' said Cruz, who also will consider running Joy And Fun in the July Cup at Newmarket on July 14. 'If he is a happy horse, then he will run a happy race. He left here in good nick, and I thought his third in Dubai was great. He is going in first-up after that and should sprint well fresh,' Cruz said.