Charming City and Firebolt yesterday passed crucial tests with flying colours ahead of Saturday's $4.3 million Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Sprint at Kranji, boosting hopes of a Hong Kong victory in the international Group Three event.
Trainer David Hayes was on hand to put Charming City through a final serious piece of work in preparation for the 1,200-metre contest and was pleased with the effort from the Chairman's Sprint Prize winner. 'It was good work,' said the Australian. 'He cantered and then strode along the last 400 or 500 metres on the course proper. I didn't time the work, but he finished off in about 24 seconds, or a touch under, and I'm very happy with him. He's very relaxed and he's eating well, and he'll just have two easy canters now.'
Rival trainer Ivan Allan was equally satisfied after Firebolt performed well in a barrier test. The four-year-old ruined his prospects in the Chairman's Sprint Prize when he missed the start, eventually finishing third behind Charming City, and Allan is taking no chances of a repeat performance on Saturday.
'This morning he was fast out of the gates,' the trainer said. 'I don't know what happened last time. I hoped he would win that day but he had no chance with the winner after he was left at the start. He had never been a problem before and, touch wood, he won't do it again, but I'll give him another short jumpout on Friday, just to make sure.'
Singapore entrant Ball Sider was withdrawn from the KrisFlyer Sprint yesterday, leaving the Hong Kong pair to face 10 rivals on Saturday night. American star Caller One, who has yet to race on turf, heads the list, with Japan, France, Australia, New Zealand and the home country providing the rest of the opposition.
Hayes, though, was more concerned with the possible ground conditions given Singapore's unpredictable mix of sunshine and showers. Trackwork was hit by heavy rain on Monday and Tuesday, with daytime temperatures in the high 20 degrees Celsius, and Hayes said: 'My main worry is the ground could be a bit shifty on raceday, which won't suit Charming City. Apparently, it had been bucketing down just before I arrived, but it's been dry since and hopefully we won't get too much rain beforehand.'
