Bumper Entry for Hong Kong Spring Features

A total of 109 horses–including no fewer than 40 international Grade I/Group 1 winners–from 15 nations and jurisdictions have been made eligible for the three spring feature races in Hong Kong, the HK$20-million G1 Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m), to be held Apr. 24; and the HK$14-million G1 Champions Mile and HK$10-million G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize (1200m), both to be staged May 1.

Among those nominated at the first stage are Japanese Horse of the Year Maurice (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}) and A Shin Hikari (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who accounted for the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile and G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup, respectively, at the International Races meeting Dec. 13. Highland Reel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), victorious in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase, was given an entry for the QE II, and with local star and G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint hero Peniaphobia (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) also nominated to the sprint event, it marks the first time all four defending HKIR champions have been engaged for the spring features.

In addition to the aforementioned hard-knocking runners from Japan, Duramente (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) was entered for the QE II as were G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) victor Lovely Day (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) and Nuovo Record (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), runner-up in the Hong Kong Cup. Though he is expected to have his swansong in the G1 Queen Elizabeth S. at Randwick, Criterion (NZ) (Sebring {Aus}) was nevertheless given the option of a fourth run at Sha Tin, having finished third last year. The last three winners of the QE II, all locally based, are also possible–Blazing Speed (GB) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}), Designs on Rome (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) and Military Attack (Ire) (Oratorio {Ire}). Eleven of the 14 4-year-olds set to run in this weekend's Hong Kong Derby are also eligible for the QE II.

Variety Club (SAf) (Var) is the lone foreign raider to scoop the Champions Mile to date, but Maurice could change that and is expected to make his seasonal debut at Sha Tin. Other foreign-based gallopers could add intrigue, including recent G1 Futurity S. winner Turn Me Loose (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}), his compatriot Volkstok'n'barrell (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), Team Valor's Euro Charline (GB) (Myboycharlie {Ire}), Godolphin's Safety Check (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and South Africa-trained Harry's Son (Aus) (Haradasun {Aus}). The home defence is missing Able Friend (Aus) (Shamardal), but could include last year's Derby hero Luger (Aus) (Choisir {Aus}), Contentment (Aus) (Hussonet) and a handful of the 4-year-old crop, including top-rated Sun Jewellery (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}).

With the cancellation of Singapore's G1 KrisFlyer International Sprint, the Chairman's Sprint Prize has been relocated to the Champions Mile undercard and includes 2014 Hong Kong Sprint hero Aerovelocity (NZ) (Pins {Aus}) in addition to Peniaphobia. The local challenge is bolstered by the talented 4-year-old sprinters Thewizardofoz (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}) and Lucky Bubbles (Aus) (Sebring {Aus}). Australian short-trackers could play a major role, including top-class horses such as Chautauqua (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}) and Buffering (Aus) (Mossman {Aus}), the latter of whom will travel on to Hong Kong following a run in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint Mar. 26. Ertijaal (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}), who has starred at this year's Dubai World Cup Carnival and will be one of the favorites for the Al Quoz, was given an entry, while Mongolian Saturday (Any Given Saturday), a creditable fifth on international day, is the lone American nominee to any of the three events.

“It is pleasing to see so many world stars among the nominations for our three spring majors here in Hong Kong,” commented Anthony Kelly, executive director of racing business and operations for the Hong Kong Jockey Club. “The Audemars Piguet QEII Cup and the Champions Mile are already well-established among the world's very best races. The elite calibre of sprinters attracted to our newest international Group 1 feature, the Chairman's Sprint Prize, is especially satisfying.

He added, “With horses of such quality as Maurice, Duramente, Aerovelocity, Chautauqua, Lovely Day and Highland Reel setting their sights on Sha Tin this spring, we can all look forward to a real treat of a Group 1 triple-header.”