Godolphin trio ready for Hong Kong

Noverre and Ekraar, two of the Godolphin hopes for the Hong Kong International meeting Sha Tin on Sunday, joined stable companion Grandera in the former colony on Saturday.

The latter travelled to Hong Kong after finishing third to Northerly in the Carlton Draught Cox Plate in Australia at the end of October.

All three are due to run in Group One contests at the prestigious meeting.

Grandera goes for the 10-furlong Hong Kong Cup while Noverre and Ekraar are on course for the Hong Kong Mile and the Hong Kong Vase over a mile and a half respectively.

Ekraar was beaten a head by the Japanese horse Stay Gold in last year’s Vase.

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor told the Godolphin website: “Grandera worked well on Tuesday and will work again next week. He has been doing everything very well since he arrived in Hong Kong from Australia and he will be ready for the big race.

“The good thing about Grandera is that he is a very tough horse. He has looked very good after each race which has given us the confidence to run him in the next big race.”