THIRTEEN Irish-trained entries have been made for the four Group 1 races at Hong Kong’s International meeting on Sunday, December 11th. They are among 184 entries from around the world, with runners from Australia, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Singapore and the USA also set to compete with a strong home team for the valuable events.

Highland Reel gave Aidan O’Brien his first win in Hong Kong last December when he captured the mile and a half Longines Hong Kong Vase and he is one of nine Irish entries for this year’s renewal. He also holds an entry in the Cup.

The 10-furlong Longines Hong Kong Cup is the most valuable race on the card with a prize fund of HK$25 million and the year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Found is among the nine nominated from Ireland. O’Brien has six of these and they also include Group 1 winners Alice Springs, Hit It A Bomb and Seventh Heaven.

Jim Bolger’s Pleascach is entered and he won this race in 2004 with Alexander Goldrun.

Tony Martin has nominated Laganore for both the Cup and Vase races, and he may be doubly represented in the latter where he has entered Heartbreak City. Ken Condon’s Success Days is another with entries for both the Cup and Vase, while Willie Mullins has this year’s Irish St Leger winner Wicklow Brave in the Vase. Washington DC is the sole Irish nominee for the six-furlong Sprint, which has attracted 45 entries.

All four of last year’s winners – Maurice, Highland Reel, A Shin Hikari and Peniaphobia – hold entries.