Lido Palace hits Tokyo track

The seven-strong team representing the United States in Tokyo this weekend was busy Wednesday making final preparations for the $2 million Japan Cup Dirt and the $3.85 million Japan Cup.

Lido Palace, in search of his third consecutive Grade 1 victory in the Japan Cup Dirt on Saturday, arrived at Tokyo Racecourse on Wednesday afternoon along with Generous Rosi, his main rival in the 1 5/16-mile contest, after having spent five days in quarantine.

Also having his first look at Tokyo was Lido Palace's Bobby Frankel-trained stablemate Timboroa. He will be facing three Americans in the 1 1/2-mile Japan Cup on Sunday. One of them, Cagney, who galloped on the turf course on Wednesday, is coming off a victory in the Carleton F. Burke.

Current Japan Cup odds from British bookmakers William Hill: T.M. Opera O 7-4; Meisho Doto 5-1; Golan 7-1; Stay Gold 9-1; Timboroa, To the Victory 11-1; With Anticipation 14-1; White Heart 25-1; Cagney 40-1.

* Trainer Ivan Allan announced Wednesday that Fairy King Prawn will miss the Hong Kong Mile on Dec. 16. Runner-up last year to Sunline, who will also miss the race, Fairy King Prawn had set a Sha Tin course record for seven furlongs in his seasonal debut last month but has been unable to recover from a nagging leg injury.