Ciaron Maher wasn’t fazed by Recommendation dumping his track work rider on Wednesday morning as Australia’s leading trainer prepares for his first crack at the Longines Hong Kong International Races (HKIR).

Recommendation dislodged track rider Anna Weatherlake when coming onto the Sha Tin track with fellow Australian raider Antino, galloping loose on the track and back into the quarantine stables before he was captured.

The three-time Group Three winner was given the all-clear to gallop on the course proper in preparation for Sunday’s Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m).

“He popped the rider off before the work, but I don’t think it made much difference to him,” Maher said.

“He didn’t need to break any records – he was just out to stretch his legs. He’s had a lot of racing, he’s travelled over well and he seems to be nice and fresh.”

Of more concern to Maher is Recommendation’s mammoth task on Sunday against Hong Kong’s boom sprinter Ka Ying Rising, who is expected to start a raging odds-on favourite after seven consecutive victories.

However, the prolific Group One-winning handler has been impressed with what Hong Kong has had to offer so far in his first raid on the city’s marquee meeting.

“The local horse looks hard to beat this year,” Maher said of Ka Ying Rising.

“It’s fantastic here. The hospitality’s been unbelievable and the facilities are great. This is our first runner here, but we’d be keen to bring more horses to this meeting.”

Antino showed he was also getting used to his new surroundings, shying several times on the Sha Tin turf before breezing over 1,200m.

Trainer Tony Gollan made a last-minute change to Antino’s gear before the hit-out.

“When they were shying a little bit out there and we decided they were going to go together, I just thought we didn’t need blinkers,” Gollan said.

“The other horse was shying, too, and they were going to go close together.

“There’s a lot for him to take in on this big course proper. All this experience will do him the world of good come Sunday.”

Antino will bid for his second Group One triumph in Sunday’s Hong Kong Mile, fresh from an outstanding Melbourne campaign highlighted by his six-and-a-half-length romp in the Group One Toorak Handicap (1,600m) at Caulfield.

Raced by Hong Kong-based owner Jeetu Ramchandani, Antino ran a close second to Mr Brightside in the Group One Champions Mile at Flemington last start and has been in sparkling condition since arriving in Hong Kong.

“He’s a very healthy horse,” Gollan said. “That’s how I want him looking, like he is now. He’s very close to his winning weight at home and I’m really pleased with him.”

A winner of 11 consecutive Queensland trainers’ premierships, Gollan will fulfil a lifelong ambition with his first international runner on Sunday.

“It’s probably dawned on me as we get closer to Sunday. It’s a big week,” he said.

Another top Mile contender, Japanese colt Jantar Mantar, also worked impressively on the Sha Tin turf on Wednesday morning ahead of his much-anticipated return.

The three-year-old will be first up since his second Group One triumph in May when he took home the NHK Mile Cup at Tokyo racecourse.

“This is his first international trip, but I have been told he is adapting very well,” jockey Yuga Kawada said.

“He is in good form. I asked him on the home stretch as this is his first race since May and it was a good gallop. He will be ready on Sunday.”

Kawada was also pleased with star filly Liberty Island’s work on the turf ahead of her Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) clash with local superstar, Romantic Warrior.

“I am a little bit relieved that she is in good form after travelling to Hong Kong. Everything is going well so far. I hope she will have a nice few days towards the race on Sunday,” Kawada said.

Japan’s two contenders in the Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m), Stellenbosch and Pradaria, also tuned up for Sunday with turf hit-outs.

“Joao [Moreira] was very pleased with her condition,” trainer Sakae Kunieda said of Stellenbosch.

“Joao told me she was in great shape and responded well to accelerate remarkably in the stretch. He also mentioned she was moving nicely and after the gallop, she was breathing very well. At the moment, I have nothing to complain about her condition.

“She is very settled in at the quarantine barn and is getting sharpened up for the big race. I think everything has gone ideal.”