Victor The Winner tunes up for Chairman's Sprint Prize as Champions Day build-up ramps up
Group One winner Victor The Winner warmed up for Champions Day with a stylish trial win as the first batch of international contenders for Hong Kong's second biggest meeting of the year were scheduled to arrive on Monday.
The build-up to Champions Day on Sunday week ramped up when Victor The Winner comfortably won a trial on the Sha Tin dirt on Monday that also featured Champions Day runners Chancheng Glory and Cap Ferrat.
Pushed forward by Karis Teetan to lead, the David Eustace-trained Victor The Winner was never headed when scoring by a length and three-quarters in 1:10.09 over 1,200m.
Teetan will take his first race ride on the six-year-old since November 2023 when he clashes with superstar Ka Ying Rising in the Group One Chairman's Sprint Prize (1,200m).
It will be Victor The Winner's second start for Eustace after a transfer from the stable of Danny Shum Chap-shing, who prepared the son of Toronado to win last year's Group One Centenary Sprint Cup (1,200m).
Chancheng Glory, who kept on well for second in the same trial, will also have a new rider on Champions Day with Brazilian star Joao Moreira booked for the ride in the Group One Champions Mile.
'It's another tough race and he's consistent. Joao Moreira can help him and maybe he can surprise,' trainer Francis Lui Kin-wai said.
Chancheng Glory notched a career-best win in the Group Three Centenary Vase (1,800m) in January and copped heavy interference when ninth to Straight Arron in the Group Three Chairman's Trophy (1,600m) last start.
Lui's Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) hero Cap Ferrat wasn't fully tested in Monday's trial, finishing six lengths behind Victor The Winner in fifth under Keith Yeung Ming-lun.
Top Australian jockey Craig Williams will again ride the four-year-old when he bids to become the sixth galloper to win the Derby-Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) double in the same season.
'He trialled well and it's just to keep his condition. He's fit and happy,' Lui said.
'I think it's a tough race. He won the Derby but we don't know his quality yet and what grade.'
A maiden from 13 Australian starts and three in Hong Kong before the Derby, Cap Ferrat bagged an upset victory at $26.7 when he narrowly beat My Wish in the city's most prestigious race.
Meanwhile, nine-time Group One winner Mr Brightside and Japan's Liberty Island and Danon McKinley arrived in Hong Kong on Monday night.
Mr Brightside will bid for a 10th Group One triumph in the Champions Mile, Liberty Island runs in the QE II Cup and Danon McKinley tackles the Chairman's Sprint Prize.
The other 12 internationals are scheduled to arrive throughout this week, but one big name who will be absent is Dubai Honour.
Trainer William Haggas confirmed to Jockey Club officials that the globetrotting stayer will bypass the QE II Cup after his closing second to Via Sistina in Saturday's Group One Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2,000m) at Randwick.
Instead, Dubai Honour will return to England before making the trip to Hong Kong for the Group One Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) on May 25.
Tony Cruz yesterday withdrew Five G Patch, La City Blanche and Winning Dragon from the QE II Cup. They are expected to run in the Group Three Queen Mother Memorial Cup (2,400m) on May 4.
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