War Artist off to Hong Kong..

War Artist is to have a Shot at the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint on December 13 at Sha Tin.



"He's obviously up to Group One level over either five or six furlongs. Probably his best form is on fast ground over six, but it was a hell of a run the other day," said trainer James Eustace.

"So long as he's OK, we'll have a go for Hong Kong. I'm pretty sure they'll invite us there.

"It's six furlongs round a right-hand bend, which he's never done before.

"What I hope to do would be to take him to Kempton nearer the time for a racecourse gallop. That would be similar to the track at Sha Tin.

"I'll give him an easy week or so now and then just try and walk and trot him for another couple of weeks, and then get him back and cantering and ready for Hong Kong."

James Eustace is readying War Artist for a winter in warmer climes with the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint and the Golden Shaheen in Dubai on World Cup night both on the agenda.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club extended an invite to the six-year-old following his Group-race wins in Germany and France this autumn, and the December 13 dash is marked on Eustace's calendar.

The trainer reports his stable star to be thriving since his staying-on third in the Prix de l'Abbaye in Paris earlier this month, where he was just three-quarters of a length adrift of winner Total Gallery.

Newmarket trainer Eustace said: "He has come out of the Abbaye in really good form, and the plan is still to take him to Hong Kong.

"He is in great form at the moment, and so long as he remains that way for the next two months then he will go.

"He ran a blinder in the Abbaye and finished his race really well.

"If he goes to Hong Kong then we will probably skip the Dubai Carnival itself and go straight to the sprint on World Cup night."

James Eustace said on TV 5 mins ago that the owner of War Artist fancies a punt at the Sprint at Meydan on world cup night...

Hibs,

What surface will that be...Poly, pro ride or dirt?

Sorry tommy have no idea..

When asked by the interviewer,what his favourite trip was 5f or 6f,

Eustace said 5f on soft and 6f on fast going..lol