Trackwork this morning was a totally different ball fame with the sun shining and Fuji in the background watching over proceedings.

The Irish are up early here and Idaho headed to the Parade Ring for a schooling session before going on to the dirt track for a leg-stretching gallop. Yesterday he was pretty skittish getting on to the track but it was his first morning here as he had arrived after the other horses and didn't come over from Quarantine until Tuesday. Today however he was a model horse and performed all his tasks very well - he's looking good and Tom Comerford reported yesterday in the press conference they were all delighted with how well he was doing.

Boom Time came down from the stables area and Cory Parish jumped on him at the entrance to the turf track. He had a good stretch out coming up the long rise in the straight and Cory said after he was really wanting to let down and go. He said the 3200m of the Melbourne Cup was probably just a bit too long for him and the 2400m should suit. When asked about the difference in the times run in Japan to times in Australia Parish said he felt if there was pace in the race Boom Time would be able to keep up and to produce a good finish.

The German runners Iquitos and Guignol came out to enjoy the sunshine and just had some light work on the dirt track. Both horses looked good and connections were very happy with their condition. They've got good draws and Iquitos has the advantage of having run here last year where he ran 7th.