Connections of American horse Cannonball are pleased they travelled early for next month's Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint after he emerged with an elevated temperature since landing on Friday. Cannonball was a surprise packet at Royal Ascot, running so well this year in major sprints, and is expected to be the best United States representative in the Sprint yet. The Jockey Club's International Racing Manager Mark Player said Cannonball was not in any doubt for the race, despite his problems, with another three weeks to overcome it. 'A bit of a temperature after a long flight is all it is, but he'll have a couple of easy days and he will be fine,' he said. 'He's getting vaccinated on Monday for Japanese encephalitis, as the plan is for him to go on to Australia after here and it is required for him to enter there, so, all in all, it was a wise decision to come early. It gives them plenty of time to get over any issues like this,' Player added.