Mount Athos is reported to be in fine form as he prepares for another international challenge in the Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin on Sunday week.
The six-year-old was last seen finishing third behind Fiorente in the Melbourne Cup in early November and recently moved on to Hong Kong ahead of his Group One engagement over a mile and a half.
Mount Athos enjoyed a light piece of exercise on Friday, including a walk around the covered parade ring at the track.
“Mount Athos is in good form, he has travelled very well – it was a 15-hour door-to-door flight – he is eating great, his weight is good, so we are happy at the moment,” said Charlie Henson, representing trainer Luca Cumani.
“This race was always on the radar but he had to perform up to standard in the Melbourne Cup, which he did.
“That was a fantastic run from not a great barrier. He does tend to race a little bit keen and from that point of view he had to get some cover down the back, so from a wide barrier he ran a great race.”
Red Cadeaux, last year’s winner of the Vase and second in the Melbourne Cup for Ed Dunlop, had a spin on the dirt track while Marco Botti’s Melbourne fifth Dandino also had a sighter of the track.
US raider Little Mike cantered on the dirt track, as did fellow Hong Kong Cup contender Side Glance, who was a Group One winner in Australia for Andrew Balding.