'Maur' of the Same at Sha Tin

I have to admit that in the days leading up to the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile last December, I was not overwhelmed by Maurice (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}). His form was bulletproof, what with a win in the G1 Yasuda Kinen and another when first-up in the G1 Mile Championship. Still, there was something from a body english perspective that I couldn't get past, but he beat Giant Treasure (Mizzen Mast) and Able Friend (Aus) (Shamardal) on the square. Fair play.

The reigning Japanese Horse of the Year got in his final piece of serious work Thursday morning at Sha Tin and suffice to say I've been won over. With Joao Moreira in the irons, Maurice emerged from the stables at the top of the 1000-metre straight and cantered past the stands inside of the dogs, then was guided back to the outside on the backstretch. Neck nicely bowed, he began to pick it up at the 800m and two-minute licked before accelerating through a final quarter-mile in a measured :23.4, striding out powerfully while under little encouragement.

“He's a beautiful horse, he moves like a real champion and the feel that he gave me from the top is that he is a champion,” said Moreira. “He hasn't achieved what he has by luck–he's done it because he's got ability and because he's got everything that a horse needs to be doing what he's done. Hopefully we can get the best out of him at the weekend, and if we do, he's the one to beat.”

Godolphin's Bow Creek (Ire) (Shamardal) was also given a searching gallop under the watchful eye of the operation's Australian trainer John O'Shea, completing six furlongs of work with a final 400 metres in a smart :22.6. The winner of the G2 Peter Young S. at Caulfield in February, the 5-year-old entire was hard held into and around the turn and leveled off nicely down the stretch, albeit with a somewhat high head carriage.

“Very happy with his work and he looks immaculate,” O'Shea assessed. “He's as good as we can have him. On his day he's a very, very good horse but he needs a few things to go his way. He needs to be smothered up behind them, get the right genuine tempo and good to firm ground. He's ready to run a race.”

Buffering (Aus) (Mossman {Aus}) was followed onto the all-weather track by the purple-poloed Chautauqua (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}). Chautauqua continues to give the impression that he is doing very well approaching race day, while Buffering galloped down lane, ears straight up, with Melly Sharpe standing tall in the irons.

Mongolian Saturday (Any Given Saturday) appeared to be giving his work rider all he could handle on the turn, but when finally given his head, let down nicely and looked much more comfortable in finishing his final two furlongs in a swift :22.3, then, as seems to be his custom, shut it down fairly quickly past the wire. He then got reacquainted with the Sha Tin parade ring. Per a Jockey Club release, Mongolian Saturday will be permitted to wear some headgear in the prelimiaries Sunday afternoon to try to keep him calm, but will load the gate without the equipment. However, he figures to have his work cut out for him, as the Chairman's figures a much hotter race than the Hong Kong Sprint, in which he was fifth, some 4 1/2 lengths behind Peniaphobia (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}).

The progressive Packing Pins (NZ) (Pins {Aus}), who drew the rail for the Champions Mile, also turned in a solid piece of work over the all-weather track, going 800m in :50.2 (:27.1, :23.1).

Once again, the Hong Kong Jockey Club is providing a live webcast of the international training session beginning at 9 p.m. ET (Thursday evening). The same link may be used for live coverage of both races Sunday morning at 3:30 (Chairman's) and 4:10 a.m (Champions Mile) ET.