No Witness in Hong Kong
The six-year-old would have been looking to notch a third successive victory in the five-furlong event but connections are not satisfied with his current condition.
Silent Witness was pulled out of a race on veterinary advice last month and he would have had to pass an official examination if he were to line up.
However, trainer Tony Cruz declined to have the El Moxie gelding examined on Monday morning after a disappointing all-weather workout and subsequently withdrew the horse from the race after meeting with owners Archie and Betty da Silva and jockey Felix Coetzee.
Meanwhile Elie Lellouche believes everything is in Westerner’s favour as his grand campaigner bids to sign off his career with victory in Sunday’s Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase.
Westerner is expected to have his final start before retirement in the mile and a half contest, having proved himself a top-class middle distance horse as well as an exceptional stayer.
A winner of the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot at York along with four long-distance Group Ones in France, the six-year-old dropped down in trip last time to finish second to Hurricane Run in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
Westerner has arrived in Asia and had a quiet canter around the Sha Tin all-weather track on Monday morning.
“I can tell you that his preparation has been straightforward and has gone exactly to plan,” said Lellouche.
“Of course we know the ground will be fast in Hong Kong but people forget that it was fast when he won at York this summer.
“Sha Tin should be right for him too and he’s got a lot going for him.
“This is a very special horse and I can’t wait to get to Hong Kong for this race.”
Westerner will be taking on Ouija Board in the Vase and Ed Dunlop’s filly also enjoyed a spin on the all-weather surface.
After an interrupted campaign, the daughter of Cape Cross finished two lengths behind Alkaased when fifth in the Japan Cup late last month and is pleasing connections.
“She’s travelled fine from Japan and she’s in good order,” said travelling head lad Robin Trevor-Jones. “She ran a huge race in Tokyo and she maybe got there a little too soon, otherwise she’d have been even closer.”
