Honest Mr Medici ready for Caulfield Cup, says confident Ho

Trainer Peter Ho Leung has reported all is well with Mr Medici ahead of a Caulfield Cup tilt tomorrow that may see the weather conditions turned in his favour.

Hong Kong's first runner in the prestigious 2,400m handicap, Mr Medici worked on Wednesday morning at the Werribee training centre, which has been set up to accept the record numbers of foreign visitors this year for the Melbourne racing carnival.

Horses from Ireland, England, France, Hong Kong and Japan are assembled at Werribee, outside Melbourne. Ho was able to partner Mr Medici with his Japanese rival last Saturday, Tokai Trick, as they galloped over 1,200m, the Hong Kong stayer trailing Tokai Trick through the workout, then gaining on him in the final stages, with neither horse put under full pressure.

But Ho was happy with the condition of Mr Medici as he tackles 2,400m at his first start since winning the Champions & Chater Cup in bog-track conditions in late May.

'He was so relaxed and I'm happy with his form. He's ready for this race and he is a proven Group One horse,' Ho told the Australian media. 'He hasn't raced for a while, but he was very fit when he left Hong Kong. Mr Medici is very professional, a good stayer and I believe he can run a good race for me. If the ground is wet or good, it doesn't worry me. He can handle all sorts of ground.'

But what is almost certain now is that the Cup will be run in wet conditions, with a wet track for racing at Caulfield on Wednesday, rain yesterday and more forecast for today.