Takahisa Tezuka believes Masquerade Ball is in peak condition as the final touches are made in his preparation for the HK$30 million G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) on Sunday (26 April).



Tezuka said the four-year-old had settled into his new surroundings well on his first international journey.



“During this week, after he arrived in Hong Kong, he was a sensitive horse, with the heat and humidity here,” Tezuka said. “After he galloped, his appetite has been improving. I think, as I watched him this morning (Friday, 24 April), he is in peak condition at the moment.



“As for today’s trackwork, we considered the track condition because of the rain so we instructed the rider to go easier.”



Tezuka said he hopes Masquerade Ball’s rider Christophe Lemaire is correct in his belief that the horse could progress into one of the greats of Japanese racing, but is wary of high-class opposition on Sunday.



The field comprises the brilliant Group 1 winners Romantic Warrior, Sosie and Royal Champion, with Masquerade Ball more than earning his place in the field after winning last year’s G1 Tenno Sho Autumn (2000m) and finishing an agonising runner-up in the G1 Japan Cup (2400m).



“The line-up this year is very, very brilliant,” Tezuka said. “Romantic Warrior is an exceptionally strong horse, a true hero in Hong Kong. Sosie from France is a good horse, as is Royal Champion.



“I always feel we are the challenger. Of course, my horse is very strong and competitive. As for the other two Japanese horses, they have great form, so I hope to make it very competitive.”



Masquerade Ball will be making his seasonal reappearance over a distance many consider shy of his optimum, and he will also be racing right-handed for the first time since the G1 Satsuki Sho (2000m) last April.



However, Tezuka has no concerns about the race conditions or the possibility of a rain-sodden track.



“I feel 2000 metres is suitable rather than 2400 metres,” he said. “In the past he hasn’t raced on a rain-affected track, so it will be a little bit of a challenge, but having watched trackwork on the grass this morning I have no concerns.”



On future options for Masquerade Ball, he added: “Plans aren’t confirmed yet but the owner is very keen to send him to Europe this summer, and then for an autumn campaign, we have options including international challenges, and of course the (LONGINES) Hong Kong International Races is one of them.”



Sunday’s (26 April) 11-race FWD Champions Day fixture at Sha Tin commences at 12.30pm with the Class 4 FWD Insurance Act Private Handicap (1200m).