Top world horses headed for Hong Kong

Fourteen horses, representing Hong Kong, France and England, were selected Wednesday for the HK$20 million Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup, at 2,000 meters over the Sha Tin course. That group is headed by the French-based defending champion, Vision d'Etat, and the English-based, 3-year-old filly Snow Fairy, winner of the English and Irish Oaks and the Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup at Kyoto, Japan, in her last start.

Also prominent in the Cup entries are last year's runner-up, Collection, and Irian, winner of the German 2000 Guineas and the major local prep for this event. Super Satin, Packing Winner and Super Pistachio all have excellent local credentials.
The HK$16 million Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile promises to be hotly contested with some of the world's top milers selected to the field.
Among them is Paco Boy, who might be the world's best if he hadn't been running second regularly to Goldikova. Hong Kong-based Good Ba Ba has won this race three straight years and is back, trying to make it a "four-peat." Able One, who captured the Champions Mile in April and the last local prep here, lends weight to the local team.

A Shin Forward represents Japan in the Mile, coming off a victory in the Group 1 Mile Championship at Kyoto Nov. 21. And from the powerful Ballydoyle Stable comes Beethoven, usually a factor in his top races but looking for a breakthrough.

The HK$14 million Cathay Pacific Sprint features the world's top-ranked sprinter, Sacred Kingdom, who won this race in 2007 and 2009, and Singapore sensation Rocket Man. J J The Jet Plane rebounded from setbacks in England with two Group 1 wins in his native South Africa. Green Birdie, who beat Rocket Man on his home course earlier in the year, and One World, who dead-heated with Rocket Man for the win in the local prep, also are back to try again.

Ultra Fantasy, winner of the Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama, carries the Japanese banner while Ortensia represents Australia in the 1,200-meter turf dash.

The HK$14 million Vase, at 2,400 meters, drew the most international field with horses representing Hong Kong, France, Japan, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, the United States and England. Viva Pataca, the 8-year-old winner of the Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup in April over the Sha Tin Course, and Mr. Medici, winner of the rain-plagued Standard Chartered Champions and Chater Cup in May, are the stars of the Hong Kong contingent.

Australia is represented in the Vase by proxy in the form of Americain, an American-bred, French-trained 5-year-old who won the Melbourne Cup in his last outing for trainer Alain de Royer Dupre. The U.S. entrant is Winchester, who won the Secretariat Stakes at Arlington Park two years back. Mastery represents the Godolphin Stable.

"We are thrilled that so many of the world's finest racehorses and their connections have been drawn to Hong Kong for the Cathay Pacific International Races," said HKJC Executive Director of Racing William A. Nader. "The numbers and the sheer class of the overseas horses will be an exciting challenge for our very strong home contingent to match the success it has enjoyed since this magnificent series began."

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