The sky is partly clouded this morning and training unusually starts at 5.30, after the maintenance staff gets the tracks back to their normal state, following the Bicentennial celebrations last night. All foreign jockeys are in the saddle with the exception of Brandon Morgenrood, sacked by Perdrau Stable.

The probable runners of the 15th meeting, for which nine races are scheduled, work fast, with the exception of Il Saggiatore, who ran last Saturday. Of these, we notice Captain Thriller who runs 800m in 48.64, finishing in 23.92. The other horses that command attention are: Solar Captain, Master Mascus (400m in 24.30), Abington, Traianius, Honour In Gold (400m in 23.80), Sniper, Accelero, Piquet, Senor Versace, Lividus, Bobby Bear - exuding form - Intercontinental, in great shape, Iwayini, Manta Ridge and Darcy's Arcy.

Acuppa works with blinkers on. Jockey M. J. Odendaal, floored by Lividus, rides again later, but he is suffering from his right shoulder.

Two ''barrier trials'' take place as from 6.15. The first group consists of Rulerofmyheart (Woodworth), Jimmy Angel (Rama) and Marwood Boy (Bardottier) who clock 1.03 and fraction over 1000m. In the second group, there are Ashanti Gold (Bardottier), Six Flags (Ségéon), Sylvester (Sooful) and Urbi et Orbi (Burke), and these runners cover the distance in 1.01 and fraction, except Six Flags who is soundly beaten.