By Alan Carasso
A total of 56 horses, including 26 Group 1/Grade I winners, from nine racing jurisdictions worldwide, have been extended invitations for the Longines Hong Kong International Races, to be contested Sunday, Dec. 11, at Sha Tin Racecourse.
All four champions from last year are likely to defend their respective titles in what the Hong Kong Jockey Club bills the “World Turf Championships.” The beat goes on for Highland Reel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who looks to become the third back-to-back winner of the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase (2400m), joining Luso (GB) (1996-97) and Doctor Dino (Fr) (2007-08). The 4-year-old, who gave trainer Aidan O'Brien a first winner at the international races last December, will be having his ninth run of the season in the Vase, having won two of the world's premier races over 12 furlongs–the G1 QIPCO King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond S. and the GI Breeders' Cup Turf. He was also runner-up in the G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and G1 Juddmonte International S. (2000m).
Highland Reel is set to square off with dual G2 Goodwood Cup hero Big Orange (GB) (Duke of Marmalade {GB}) and the French-trained duo of GI Canadian International S. victor Erupt (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), this year's G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud winner Silverwave (Fr) (Silver Frost {Ire}) and, possibly, Nuovo Record (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Ire}), runner-up in last year's G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup.
A Shin Hikari (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) led home a Japanese 1-2 in last year's Cup and is part of a five-strong contingent from the nation, though not its leading chance. That distinction would belong to Japan's reigning Horse of the Year Maurice (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}), who defeated the likes of Able Friend (Aus) (Shamardal) in last year's G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile, but opts for the 2000-metre Cup this time around as he makes his final career appearance. He proved his mettle over the metric 10 furlongs with a smooth win beneath Ryan Moore in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) Oct. 30, defeating–among others–Staphanos (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}, third), Lovely Day (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}, ninth); and A Shin Hikari, who faded into 12th after setting the pace. Queen's Ring (Jpn) (Manhattan {Cafe {Jpn}) tries the boys after besting her peers in the G1 QE II Cup (2200m) Nov. 13. A record 13 Japanese horses have been invited to HKIR.
The Hong Kong middle-distance challenge is getting long in the tooth, but 2014 winner Designs On Rome (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), Blazing Speed (GB) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) and Military Attack (Ire) (Oratorio {Ire}) merit respect, as does Secret Weapon (GB) (Choisir {Aus}), who beat them all in the G2 Longines Jockey Club Cup at the weekend.
Bar the exploits of the tremendous Lord Kanaloa (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}), the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint has been the property of the home team, and Peniaphobia (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) is back for another crack, but he will have to deal with a strong domestic challenge from Lucky Bubbles (Aus) (Sebring {Aus}), most recently runner-up to Not Listenin'tome (Aus) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) in the G2 Jockey Club Sprint. Aerovelocity (NZ) (Pins {Aus}), the 2014 Sprint winner, will also try to keep the trophy in Hong Kong. The foreign challenge is considerable, as Big Arthur (Jpn) (Sakura Bakushin O {Jpn}) and Red Falx (Jpn) (Swept Overboard) bring winning Japanese Group 1 form into the race, while Profitable (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and Signs of Blessing (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) put forth similar credentials from Europe. Toss in G1 Manikato S. hero Rebel Dane (Aus) (California Dane {Jpn}) and GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint third Pure Sensation (Disco Rico) and the Sprint looms a bit of a free-for-all.
With Maurice opting for the Cup, those participating in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile could not be blamed for breathing a sigh of relief. If Able Friend can improve from his respectable first-up fifth in the Jockey Club Sprint, he could be the one to beat, but it will be anything but a fait accompli for the 2014 Mile winner. The burly chestnut is one of three in the race on an international rating of 119, including Contentment (Aus) (Hussonet) and Logotype (Jpn) (Lohengrin {Jpn}), the latter of whom defeated Maurice in the G1 Yasuda Kinen earlier this year. The progressive Neorealism (Jpn) (Neo Universe {Jpn}) accomplished the same feat in the G2 Sapporo Kinen (2000m) and was most recently an unlucky third in the G1 Mile Championship at Kyoto. Cougar Mountain (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) is the lone European entrant in the Mile. Victorious in this year's G2 Joel S., the 5-year-old ran on fairly to be eighth, just over four lengths behind Tourist (Tiznow) in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile. Beauty Only (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) took out the G2 Jockey Club Mile and is potentially best of the locals, depending on which Able Friend shows up.
“All four of the 2015 champions are set to compete again and the home team will have its work cut out to better the one win achieved last time around,” said Anthony Kelly, the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Executive Director, Racing Business and Operations. “It is particularly exciting to see Maurice's connections sportingly opting to take on the challenge of the Cup rather than the Mile this time. Add to the mix the rematch between Japan's Big Arthur and Red Falx, the return of Able Friend, the continuing exploits of Highland Reel, and an altogether world class line-up of challengers primed for competition, and it's safe to say we are in for a year-end treat on 11 December.”
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
