Race rider Darren Beadman will sound out Douro Valley on Thursday in his last serious gallop before Sunday's Hong Kong International Vase.

Trainer Danny O'Brien, who is inspecting yearlings in New Zealand, will fly to Hong Kong on Wednesday night and supervise the gallop on the course proper at Sha Tin.

Beadman has ridden Douro Valley once for a win in the Listed Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield in September last year and replaces regular rider James Winks.

Winks has ridden the seven-year-old at his last 14 starts but was suspended last month and his ban ends on the eve of the Hong Kong International meeting.

Connections offered Beadman the Vase mount fearing that being on the sidelines for 30 meetings Winks would be in danger of lacking race fitness.

O'Brien said Douro Valley had been set for the 2400m Hong Kong race from the start of his preparation and the plan was on track.

"He worked on Monday and he has settled in very well," O'Brien said.

Douro Valley galloped 1200 metres on the course proper in 1:15.8 seconds with a rousing last 400 metres in 22.8s.

Douro Valley won the Group One Yalumba Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield in October and hasn't raced since Zipping beat him in a photo-finish at weight-for-age in the Group Two Sandown Classic (2400m) on November 15.

Australia's hope in the Hong Kong International Sprint, Apache Cat, will work on Sha Tin's course proper for the first time on Wednesday.

The champion sprinter galloped strongly on the all-weather track on Monday and trainer Greg Eurell is thrilled with his build-up to the feature.

He said all he needed was a favourable draw when barriers are decided on Thursday.

"If he gets barrier four to six that should ensure he gets a good run in transit," Eurell said.