Strong fields of international raiders, including the first American representative since 2017, will go up against an imposing team of locals in the four group 1 events comprising the Dec. 8 Longines Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin Racecourse.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Nov. 20 announced 56 selected runners from eight racing jurisdictions for the four events, 26 of them group 1 or grade 1 winners. They will chase HK$126 million (about US$16.2 million) in purse money.
Hong Kong runners look particularly dominant with Romantic Warrior seeking a third win in the 2,000-meter (about 1 1/4 miles) Hong Kong Cup (G1) and Ka Ying Rising looking to cap a meteoric rise through the ranks of local speedsters in the Hong Kong Sprint (G1). The 1,200-meter turf sprint (about six furlongs) also boasts the two most recent winners of the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T)—Nobals and Starlust.
Andrew Harding, executive director of racing for the HKJC, called the assemblage "titans of world racing."
"The Longines Hong Kong International Races are one of the most important racing events on the global calendar and this year we look forward to hosting a decorated line-up from many corners of the globe," Harding said.
Romantic Warrior was an easy winner off a five-month layoff in his local prep and his bid for a third Cup victory could propel him back into the international spotlight. Winner of the 2023 Cox Plate (G1) in Australia and June 2 Yasuda Kinen (G1) in Japan, connections are eyeing a switch to the dirt in 2025 for an assault on the Saudi Cup (G1) in February and/or Dubai World Cup (G1) in April.
First things first. The opposition in the Cup includes a strong contingent from Japan including Liberty Island, Japan's 2023 filly Triple Crown winner who was second to subsequent Japan Horse of the Year, Equinox, in the 2023 Japan Cup (G1).
Spirit Dancer and Calif come to the Cup off first- and third-place finishes in the Bahrain International Trophy (G2). Aidan O'Brien brings 3-year-old fillies Content and Wingspan. The Foxes was a supplemental entry for trainer Andrew Balding.
Hong Kong Sprint
Hong Kong has been all but invincible in the Sprint since Lord Kanaloa came from Japan to win back-to-back editions 2012-13. This year, Ka Ying Rising threw down the gauntlet in the local prep, the Jockey Club Sprint (G2), not only winning effortlessly but shattering the course record previously held by Sacred Kingdom.
Among those trying their luck against him is 2023 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner Nobals, who brings the American flag back to Hong Kong after a six-year absence.
"There's probably a reason why," trainer Larry Rivelli said of the dearth of United States runners.
"I don't know how you compare those horses to U.S. sprinters," he said, noting his previous Hong Kong starter, Nicole's Dream, faded to get home 12th in the 2005 Sprint. "There's no doubt about it. We're up against it."
He said he decided to send Nobals only after the Noble Mission gelding defeated another dominant local force, Patches O'Houlihan, in the Kennedy Road Stakes (G2) at Woodbine Nov. 16.
"If he didn't perform as well as he did in Canada, I definitely wouldn't have taken him," Rivelli said.
The Hong Kong Sprint also is expected to include this year's Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner Starlust, who rallied from last in a field of 11 at Del Mar Nov. 2 to win by a neck in a dramatic 33-1 upset. Ralph Beckett trains the British-bred 3-year-old colt by Zoustar for Mrs. Fitriana Hay.
Hong Kong Mile
The Hong Kong Mile (G1) field includes the first three finishers from the local prep—Voyage Bubble, Chancheng Glory, and Galaxy Patch—defending against a diverse bunch.
Antino arrives from Australia with 11 wins already on his scorecard. Soul Rush, fourth in the 2023 Mile, returns for another try after winning the Mile Championship (G1) at home Nov. 17, along with fellow Japanese runner Jantar Mantar, winner of the NHK Mile Cup (G1) in May.
Hong Kong Vase
The Hong Kong Vase (G1) has been a soft spot for local runners as the 2,400-meter (about 1 1/2 miles) distance is not contested frequently at Sha Tin. Nonetheless, the race could be a focal point of the day, depending in part on the outcome of the Nov. 24 Japan Cup (G1) in Tokyo.
That's because Goliath, who defeated subsequent Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) winner Bluestocking and grade/group 1 winners Rebel's Romance, Auguste Rodin, and Luxembourg in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) at Ascot in July, is set to try the Tokyo-Hong Kong double.
Luxembourg, second in the 2023 Cup, returns for O'Brien, along with dual German group 1 winner Fantastic Moon, and contenders from France and Japan.
"We are excited by the quality of selected runners for this year's Longines Hong Kong International Races and the presence of so many of the stars is in keeping with our long-held commitment to deliver sporting excellence," Harding said.
