ERTIJAAL (AUS) enjoyed a relaxing spa and a snack with groom ”Shorty” Feni before being shipped to Hong Kong on Friday.

Sheikh Hamdan’s runner has arrived safely at Sha-Tin for Sunday’s GR1 Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup (Audemars Piguet QEII Cup), over 2000m, one of Hong Kong’s major sporting events since the celebrated watchmaker took over sponsorship in 1999.

Mathew de Kock will be joining Ertijaal on Tuesday to oversee the four-year-old’s pre-race preparation. Ertijaal was last seen in action on Dubai World Cup night, finishing fast for fourth in the Gr1 Dubai Turf over 1800m under Douglas Whyte, who has retained the ride.