Bande, Admire Rakti in Werribee hit-outs

Japanese gallopers Bande and Admire Rakti have had their training increased at Werribee as they head towards the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup.


Bande, Admire Rakti in Werribee hit-outs

Japanese gallopers Bande and Admire Rakti have had their training increased at Werribee as they head towards the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup.

The two Japanese gallopers in Melbourne for the spring carnival were put through their paces at Werribee on Wednesday morning.

Bande and Admire Rakti weren't out to break the clock in hit-outs with their respective travelling companions, but went about their work in nice style.

Favourite at $10 for the Caulfield Cup on October 18, Bande was kept under a tight rein after cantering off from the 2000m, increasing the speed from the 1000m before running home the last 400m in 27 seconds.

Speaking through an interpreter, Takahide Ando, assistant to Bande's trainer Yoshito Yahagi, said the entire had settled in well since arriving in Melbourne 10 days ago.

"It seems like Bande loves Australia," Ando said. "He has really settled in well, eating well."

A noted front-runner, Bande will not change his racing style, although a jockey for the entire is yet to be confirmed for the Caulfield Cup.

Christophe Lemaire is booked for the Melbourne Cup.

Admire Rakti, third favourite at $15 in the Melbourne Cup, had a similar workout to Bande, speeding up over the last 600m in 42.5 seconds.

Kiyoshi Shikato, trackrider for the Tomoyuki Umeda-trained Admire Rakti, said the seven-year-old would need the outing in the Caulfield Cup in his preparation towards the Melbourne Cup.

"This is the first time galloping in Australia," Shikato said through an interpreter.

"He is settling in very well, relaxing and we were happy with his action.

"We are satisfied with how everything is going and hope everything keeps on going the same way to the Caulfield Cup and the Melbourne Cup."


AAP


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