VERCINGETORX (3) and Sanshaawes (8) drew favourably for Sunday’s Gr1 Audemars Piguet QEII Cup over 2000m at Sha-Tin in Hong Kong.

Assistant trainer Trevor Brown, who is supervising the preparation of Mike de Kock’s pair, commented at yesterday’s Barrier Draw  Ceremony:  “I’m not too worried about the draw and probably not too worried about the pace as both our horses are versatile, but of course you would hope for a decent, fair run race.”

Anthony Delpech is enthusiastic about his inside draw for Vercingetorix.

Brown said tactics would be most likely left to his two jockeys, Anthony Delpech (Vercingetorix) and Olivier Doleuze (Sanshaawes). “Anthony knows his mount well and he can probably hold a handy spot from gate three if he begins well. Sanshaawes could go back from his wider gate but again I’ll leave that to Olivier and I would have no issue if there was no pace and he opted to go forward.”

Brown, who is confident both horses will give a good account, added: Vercingetorix is still on the up, still on the improve and he’ll run well. Sanshaawes is a horse who tries very hard, he’s versatile and he’s better suited back on the turf.”

Delpech is enthusiastic about his mount and said: “There doesn’t look to be too much speed but my horse is versatile and has the turn of foot to put himself into the race no matter what the tempo.”

This exciting event with huge South African interest will not be flighted to regular home subscribers by Tellytrack, who pose as a horseracing channel for the Listed company Phumelela Gaming and Leisure. If you’re near one of those nice, spotlessly clean, service-oriented TAB outlets on Sunday, however, take the family and nip in to watch the race live!