Sparkling Robin Of Navan gets thumbs-up for latest Sha Tin workout

In the third part of a daily diary leading up to the Hong Kong International races on Sunday, Christina Dunlop provides an update on husband Harry’s stable stalwart Robin Of Navan and her own adventures

Another bright and sunny morning at Sha Tin, and Robin Of Navan, who'd eaten up well the night before, was roaring for his breakfast.

There were many more people trackside this morning, with trainers beginning to arrive, including Francis Graffard, Corine Barande-Barbe and my husband Harry.

David Simcock’s wife Jenny arrived to ride Lightning Spear, and various European jockeys also turned up, including Sean Levey and Silvestre de Sousa.

Robin Of Navan had another canter on the dirt, this time a good strong one all the way round. Colum [Haynes] had quite a job pulling him up. The horse seems to have regained all his sparkle and is fresh and well – long may it stay that way.

Also, more importantly, the trainer was happy with the way he looked and moved. If Robin continues to thrive and returns home safe and sound this experience will open up other long-haul options for 2018.

Everyone at the quarantine barns was devastated for James Fanshawe and his team following the withdrawal of The Tin Man. Long-haul flights can take so much out of a horse, but he's in safe hands with his devoted travelling head girl Helen Halliwell, who knows him inside out.

There is a real team atmosphere on the back stretch, with offers of help from everyone and plenty of advice too. It's been fascinating seeing how each stable looks after its horses, what their routines are, who uses what products and why. The main mantra is, 'Keep it simple' and I’m happy to go with that.

Last night a large group of us went to one of Hong Kong’s main tourist attractions, The Peak railway. It was a rather unnerving feeling going up the side of a hill at 27 degrees with gravity beginning to take a pull! But you get some amazing views of the harbour at night from the top.

Somehow we all managed to make it back to the hotel using the underground – no mean achievement with three changes!

If you are interested in this, you might also like:

Robin Of Navan enjoying the warm weather as team settles in at Sha Tin

Soaking up the atmosphere as we mix it with world's best