6:00 Longines Hong Kong Vase (Group 1) (3yo+) 1m4f ATR/RU
Aidan O’Brien’s team suffered mixed fortunes with the draw but Highland Reel is set to contest the 12-furlong Vase from stall eight in what will be his final outing before retiring to stud.
The five-year-old won the race in 2015 when he started from stall nine and was just caught in the dying strides last year.
Aidan O’Brien reported: “He’s not done a great deal since his last run (when third) in the Breeders’ Cup (Turf), but his lad Davy (Bergin) is very happy with him right now.”
It would be a fitting swansong for one of the most durable Group 1 performers in recent years to finish his career with his seventh Group 1 win and he has much in his favour.
Breeders’ Cup Turf hero Talismanic races from stall one and fulfilled his promise earlier in the year culminating in his American win.
The biggest danger to Highland Reel again may come from Japan in the shape of the three-year-old Kikuka Sho (St Leger) winner Kiseki who has risen through the grades and has turn of foot.
Willie Mullins’ Max Dynamite will be in stall two for Rich Ricci, coming off his third in the Melbourne Cup where French runner Tiberian was seventh. He shouldn’t really be up to this class though Tiberian had two good wins in France before he travelled. Richard Hannon’s Danehill Kodiac is also taking a big step up from his Ascot Group 3 win over Waldgeist.
The Sir Michael Stoute-trained South African mare Smart Call is next to him in 11. Ralph Beckett’s Chemical Charge will start from stall four and is capable of a better run on firmer ground than when sixth in Canada.
SELECTION: Highland Reel
Next Best: Kiseki
6:40 Longines Hong Kong Sprint (Group 1) (3yo+) 6f ATR/RU
Local sprinter Mr Stunning has been the form horse this season and is the one they all have to fear. Lucky Bubbles had no luck in the Jockey Club Sprint but he is among Hong Kong’s best sprinters. He can complete the big sprint double of the Chairman’s Sprint Prize and the Hong Kong Sprint.
Thewizardofoz has Joao Moreira on board and cannot be left out. Peniaphobia should lead again and, in recent years, he has won in 2015, was second in 2014, and was third in 2016. French raider Signs Of Blessing hasn’t travelled well, but he ran strongly in this race last year.
Stormy Liberal won the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint for Peter Miller.
SELECTION: Lucky Bubbles
Next Best: Thewizardofoz
7:50 Longines Hong Kong Mile (Group 1) (3yo+) 1m ATR/RU
Lancaster Bomber (Ryan Moore) and Roly Poly (Seamie Heffernan), will both seek to add further Group 1 success to the Ballydoyle tally, although their draws in gates 11 and 14 make things difficult.
Both three-year-olds, Lancaster Bomber is a five-time runner-up in Group 1s, including last time out in the Breeders’ Cup Mile, while Roly Poly won three of Ballydoyle’s 27 Group 1s this year. Lancaster Bomber could grab a place if held up but the filly looks up against it from the wide stall.
In an international field of jockeys, riding skills could have a big say in this. Seasons Bloom (Joao Moreira) and Beauty Generation will make it tough for the international challengers. Seasons Bloom looks to be one of Hong Kong’s emerging stars with a good win last time in the Group 2 prep for this. Helene Paragon should also fly the flag for the local runners having finished second last year, and off his Jockey Club Mile run, can also be involved. David Simcock’s Lightning Spear is better drawn in stall one and deserves a Group 1 win, though he has had many chances.
SELECTION: Seasons Bloom
Next Best: Lancaster Bomber
8:30 Longines Hong Kong Cup (Group 1) (3yo+) 1m2f ATR/RU
Werther is Hong Kong’s best middle-distance horse and is expected to improve again of his win last time. Japan’s Neorealism didn’t have everything to suit early in the QEII Cup in April, but he still managed to hold off Pakistan Star to score. He is a leading player if returning to his best form after a poor run on soft ground in the Tenno Sho.
Ballydoyle’s Deauville and War Decree are well drawn in stalls two and seven.
Aidan O’Brien said: “Deauville has been freshened up after his run in Canada, where the ground didn’t suit. A good even pace here on turf that he’ll like is what he needs, and that will hopefully get him into a nice rhythm. I think the 10 furlongs is his ideal trip.
“War Decree found the dirt track at Del Mar all a little too much for him, but he came out of the race well, and the turf track here should be more to his liking.”
The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Poet’s Word brings the best form with seconds in the Irish and British Champion Stakes but is drawn widest of the 12 runners.
Andrew Balding was satisfied with 10 for Blond Me, saying: “That will suit her. I’d much rather that than drawing low.” She is tough and consistent but this is a big ask taking on the males.
French challenger Garlingari would be a popular winner for Corinne Barande-Barbe and comes off two wins but may need softer ground.
SELECTION: Neorealism
Next Best: Poets Word