Longines HKIR Attracts Bumper Entry
A total of 209 horses–including 70 Group or Grade 1 winners–has been entered for the four events comprising the Longines Hong Kong International Races, to be held Sunday, Dec. 14 at Sha Tin Racecourse.
The HKIR offers record purse money of HK$83 million (US$10.7 million) across the four races in 2014, highlighted by the HK$25-million (US$3.2 million) G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup, the world’s second-richest turf race conducted over 2000 meters. Among those nominated to the Cup are Cirrus des Aigles (Fr) (Even Top {Ire}), who would be making his fifth appearance at the HKIR in the last six years. Also engaged are: recent G1 Cox Plate hero Adelaide (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who was also given an entry for the G1 Hong Kong Vase over the 2400 meters; Japan’s Admire Rakti (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Ire}), the G1 Caulfield Cup winner and ante-post favorite for next week’s G1 Melbourne Cup; his compatriotJust a Way (Jpn) (Hearts Cry {Jpn}), runaway winner of the G1 Dubai Duty Free S. this past March with a first preference for the G1 Hong Kong Mile; and Al Kazeem (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), a determined second last time out in the G1 QIPCO Champion S. at Ascot.
Defending champion Glorious Days (Aus) (Hussonet) will race first-up in the Mile, which offers purse money of HK$23 million (US$2.97 million) and is the richest event of its kind in the world. Also representing the home team, which has won the last eight runnings of the race, is last year’s runner-up Gold-Fun (Ire) (Le Vie Dei Colori {GB}); the up-and-coming Able Friend (Aus) (Shamardal); and 2012 Mile conqueror Ambitious Dragon (NZ) (Pins {Aus}), who recently made a promising return from an 18-month absence. The overseas challenge could come from the likes of GI Breeders’ Cup Mile favorite Toronado (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}); GI Woodbine Mile victor and BC Mile chance Trade Storm (GB) (Trade Fair {GB}); and treble Australian Group 1 winner Boban (Aus) (Bernardini).
The John Moore-trained Dominant (Ire) (Cacique {Ire}) pulled the upset in last year’s Hong Kong Vase and is gearing up for another run in a race historically dominated by European raiders. Among those who could invade for the HK$16.5-million ($2.13 million) test are: globetrotting Red Cadeaux (GB) (Cadeaux Genereux {GB}), the 2012 winner; and Breeders’ Cup Turf market leaders Flintshire (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and Telescope (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
While Rich Tapestry (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) will fly the Hong Kong flag at Santa Anita tomorrow, he is not among the nominees for the HK$18.5-million (US$2.39 million) G1 Hong Kong Sprint going six furlongs on the turf. With two-time champion Lord Kanaloa (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) off to stud, the door is open for the likes of Gordon Lord Byron (GB) (Byron {GB}), also nominated to the Mile; Lucky Nine (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), victorious in 2011; crack Australian short-tracker Buffering (Aus) (Mossman {Aus}); G1 Haydock Sprint Cup victor G Force (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}); and Sole Power (GB) (Kyllachy {GB}), who will look to improve on his runner-up effort last December.
The handful of entries from North America include Za Approval (Ghostzapper, Mile/Sprint); Kaigun (Mile); Big Blue Kitten (Cup/Vase); and Reneezgotzip (City Zip, Sprint).
“It’s great to once again see such a depth of quality to this year’s Longines Hong Kong International Races nominations,” commented William A Nader, the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Executive Director of Racing. “We are accustomed to seeing world-class performers at Sha Tin each December. The horses nominated at this stage give a clear indication that this year’s Turf World Championships, with its phenomenal prize money and great hospitality, will more than live up to its billing as world racing’s de facto end-of-year Group 1 showcase.”