No stress for Cannonball

American raider Cannonball remains on target for the $500,000 Coolmore Lightning Stakes (1000m), at Flemington on 30 January after encountering no issues at quarantine at Sandown.

Cannonball will become the first American-trained horse to compete in Australia when he tackles the Flemington sprint later this month and travelling foreman Declan Murphy couldn't be happier with it since arriving on December 29.

"Everything's going really well, so we're very pleased with his progress," Murphy said. "He's settled in much better than Hong Kong where he gained a temperature."

"He's taken to Sandown very well and has enjoyed galloping on the turf. He's been out each
day and had a strong gallop in 48.2 (over 800 metres) last Sunday."

Cannonball, who is here to take on the Lightning, the first leg of the Global Sprint Challenge, will leave quarantine next Tuesday.

"He'll be stabled with David Hayes under my care," Murphy said. "We're very fortunate to be able to call upon the support and guidance of David who is a good friend of mine."

"Being the first horse out here means it's a learning curve for us all, but he's a quality sprinter and we're excited about what lies ahead."

"We understand it's a hot race and you need a good horse to win, so we're hoping our preparation continues without any hitches," Murphy said.

Cannonball beat home last year's Lightning Stakes winner Scenic Blast when second in the Golden Jubilee at Royal Ascot, and Murphy said a repeat performance would have him very competitive.

"(Trainer) Wesley (Ward) has done a great job with this horse and his performance at Ascot was fantastic, so we'll be looking for him to reproduce a performance like that."