OSCAR SCHINDLER, bidding to become the second Irish-trained winner of the Melbourne Cup next Tuesday, delighted connections in a 10-furlong workout at Sandown.
The giant chestnut strode out in slower than even time to the four furlong mark, where track jockey John Sullivan slipped him some rein, with the Arc de Triomphe third coming home in around 47 seconds.
No official times were available, but Oscar Schindler was privately clocked to run the final two furlongs of the uphill Sandown straight in just under 24 seconds.
Trainer, Kevin Prendergast, said: "He only blew a little afterwards. It was a good piece of work. He won't do much between now and Tuesday, he's pretty much where I want him."
Oscar Schindler is 3 to 1 favourite to emulate Vintage Crop, with the other two European challengers, Court of Honour and Grey Shot, quoted respectively at 15 to 1 and 20 to 1 by local odds compilers.
Zagreb will run in the Group One Japan Cup at Tokyo on Sunday, November 24th, after the Godolphin team yesterday turned down the chance to run Halling in the mile and a half showpiece.
Zagreb, who finished 13th in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on his only appearance since his Irish Derby victory, was invited in Halling's place and trainer Dermot Weld was quick to accept.
Helissio and Pent ire have already been confirmed as definite European starters, alongside Oscar Schindler. The Japan Racing Association is still awaiting a reply from connections of the fifth European horse to be invited, Singspiel.
Cigar, the American superstar that won almost $10 million in a glittering career which yielded 19 wins from 33 starts, has been retired. He won both the Breeders Cup Classic and Dubai World Cup.
Timarida, already successful at the highest level in three different countries this season, bids to record her second American Grade One success of the season in the Yellow Ribbon Stakes (10f) at Santa Anita, California, tomorrow.
The John Oxx filly, the mount of Johnny Murtagh, didn't have the happiest of races when third in the Champion Stakes last time, but a reproduction of her Beverly D Stakes win ought to be good enough.
Donna Viola, having her last race for Newmarket trainer Chris Wall, runs for Britain, but ultimately home performers such as Wandesta, Chelsey Flower, Admise and the 1995 winner Alpride, may prove more troublesome.
