Alex Cole spent part of yesterday nervously looking out of his hotel window for the weather prospects after an outside draw had been the first blow to Treasure Beach's chance of carrying off a rare head-to-head between the classic form of Europe and Hong Kong in the HK$14 million Audemars Piguet QEII Cup.
The 2011 Irish Derby winner, Treasure Beach was just a head off being the first Epsom Derby winner to appear at Sha Tin and European classic horses are more normally part of the pedigree than the opposition for Group Ones here, so the chance to line up Treasure Beach is a precious one.
'Frankly, we came here with high expectations,' said Cole, the racing manager for Jim and Fitri Hay, who bought half of Treasure Beach before the Dubai Sheema Classic, and the horse now runs in the ownership of Mrs Hay along with the heavyweights from Coolmore. 'I've been out to see the horse and he looks great. He has run in Ireland, France, the United States, Canada and Dubai in his last six runs so he has had plenty of practice at travelling and he takes it well. All the reports have been that Treasure Beach is in great form.'
But Cole's confidence was dulled by Thursday's barrier draw and he was just as concerned at the adverse weather reports.
'He doesn't really want soft ground,' Cole said, and added that there had been no firm tactical decision made regarding barrier 13 for the Aidan O'Brien-trained colt. 'What he does will very much depend on the pace of the race and we'll leave it up to the man on top, Jamie Spencer.'
Only two Hong Kong Derby winners have ever backed that win up with a victory in the QEII Cup the same season, Vengeance Of Rain and Ambitious Dragon, and Sweet Orange's trainer David Ferraris is well aware of the history.