Racing: Ortensia works well for sprint in Hong Kong

Ortensia will race in today's Sprint. Photo / Getty Images

Australia's lone representative at today's International meeting in Hong Kong, Ortensia, is as well as she can be going into the Sprint at Sha Tin.

Trainer Tony Noonan was pleased with her work on Saturday morning after a scare earlier in the week when the mare was spooked by a cat and lost some skin when she tried to jump a fence.

"She was nice and calm again this morning which is a good sign," Noonan said.

"We just need a good, genuine pace and hopefully something to cart her into the race.

"If she can be in touch with 200 metres to go, she'll really let down and hit the line.

"It's going to be tough.

"Rocket Man's going to be hard to beat. He's stabled opposite us and he looks great - a real ball of muscle.

"But Ortensia is spot on."

Craig Williams, who is currently on a riding stint in Japan, will be reunited with Ortensia while champion Hong Kong jockey Douglas Whyte has picked up the ride on leading contender Green Birdie, whose regular partner Mark Du Plessis was injured in a fall in New Zealand on Friday.

Green Birdie beat Rocket Man to win the KrisFlyer Sprint earlier this year and his two runs this season have been in Japan where he has run second and seventh over the past few weeks.

Last year he ran fourth in the Sprint won by Sacred Kingdom who is the sentimental favourite again in 2010.

One World, who dead heated with Rocket Man in the Sprint Trial, has been passed fit after putting a scare into the John Moore camp when he knocked an elbow.

Melbourne Cup winner Americain is also reported to be in fine fettle ahead of the International Vase (2400m) but rival Joshua Tree will have to undergo a veterinary test before he races.

Trained by Aidan O'Brien, Joshua Tree has been found to be lame in his right front leg yesterday morning.