Rivelli expects Nobals to run in Hong Kong Sprint despite fever

Nobals, entered in Saturday's Grade 1 Hong Kong Sprint, developed a fever but is expected to start, trainer Larry Rivelli said Tuesday.

"He had a little shipping fever when he shipped in," Rivelli told Horse Racing Nation.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club said in a news release Tuesday that Nobals was "was found to have developed a fever with evidence of an infection" when he arrived Sunday.

"Nobals is currently receiving ongoing veterinary care and treatment and as a result it has been recommended that the horse does not undertake any exercise on the training track until cleared by the club’s veterinary surgeons."

Rivelli was unconcerned by the development.

"We treated him, and his temperature's been down the last few days," he said. "We've got some time. I think we're going to be OK. You never know, but I think we're going to be all right."

Nobals is coming off a win in the Kennedy Road (G2) at Woodbine on Nov. 6. It was the first win in four starts this year for the 5-year-old gelding, who finished 2023 with a win in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

As for this weekend at Sha Tin, Rivelli said, "it's a long way to go and not run, that's for sure."