A quartet of runners caught the eye during Friday morning's training session on October 30, with Xanthe, Lorenzo, Knotty Emperor, and Hyperdrive producing notable displays. Trainers and observers monitored the progress of these horses as they navigated the inner and outer sand tracks to fine-tune their preparations.
The session provided a clear indication of the current fitness levels among the string, with several horses demonstrating sharp movement and controlled pacing. The work on the outer sand track, in particular, highlighted the readiness of the leading contenders as they completed their respective gallops.
Standout performances on the outer sand
Xanthe, partnered by Salman, delivered one of the most eye-catching performances of the morning. Covering 1400m in 1:39.5, the horse maintained a consistent rhythm, clocking 1:24 for the 1200m mark and 1:09.5 for the 1000m stretch before finishing the final 600m in 43 seconds. Similarly, Lorenzo, under R. Pradeep, looked in excellent condition over the same distance, recording a time of 1:41 for the full 1400m and showing impressive acceleration through the final stages.
In the shorter work, Hyperdrive, ridden by Arvind, outperformed Bay View over 1000m, clocking 1:13 with a final 600m split of 41.5 seconds. Knotty Emperor also drew attention with an attractive movement over 1000m, finishing in 1:14 with a 600m time of 41.5 seconds. Other notable efforts included Regal Reality, who appeared in fine trim over 1200m, and Zenzele, who shaped well over 1400m, completing the distance in 1:42.
Inner sand track updates
Activity on the inner sand track was equally productive, with several horses showing positive signs. Auspicious King, guided by Rajesh K, impressed over 1200m with a time of 1:22, including a 1000m split of 1:07 and a final 600m in 39 seconds. Circle Of Dreams also pleased onlookers, covering 1200m in 1:20, while Forever Royal moved comfortably over 600m in 40 seconds.
The outer sand track also hosted lighter work, with War Queen moving freely over 600m in 46 seconds. Routing Run and Dowsing also completed a 600m gallop in 46 seconds, both moving well on the bit as they continued their training preparations.
