Trainer Ivan Allan will go into Sunday's Yasuda Kinen in Tokyo 'cautiously optimistic' after Self Flit did everything asked of him in his all-weather gallop yesterday.
Allan, who won the Yasuda Kinen with Fairy King Prawn four years ago and took second with Oriental Express in 1999, said that Self Flit 'will not disgrace Hong Kong'.
The six-year-old was partnered by Michael de Beer, who has accompanied him throughout the trip, and they galloped 800 metres on the superb all-weather track in preparation for Sunday's race, which is worth more than $12 million.
'It was a nice gallop - just what I wanted to see,' said Allan. 'I think he ran about 48 seconds for the gallop, but he did it very nicely and he pulled up well afterwards. Self Flit's condition has improved since he arrived at the racecourse this week. He's bright and seems to be really enjoying it here.'
Allan said he had debated his options regarding the gallop for Self Flit but elected for the all-weather because the turf was very firm.
'The turf track is very hard at the moment but hopefully it won't be as firm on Sunday as it was for the Derby meeting here last weekend,' Allan said.
