IRISH trainers will send a strong challenge for the top prizes at the Hong Kong International Races next Sunday. Group 1 winners Highland Reel, Free Eagle and Sole Power have excellent prospects of taking home a share of the prize money.

Aidan O’Brien will bid for his first victory in Hong Kong in the Longines Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin with the French Derby second Highland Reel. The three-year-old colt proved himself on the international stage when making all to win the Secretariat Stakes Arlington in August. He was last seen when third to Winx in the Grade 1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on October 24th.

O’Brien said: “Highland Reel was a little unlucky not to be second in the Cox Plate but we were very happy with his run and he’s been in good form since. He is a very uncomplicated and tactically versatile horse. I think both the likely ground and the track at Sha Tin should suit him well.”

The Vase looks a competitive renewal with last year’s winner Flintshire returning again along with Cirrus Des Aigles from France. Pat Smullen has picked up an excellent spare ride on the Canadian International winner Cannock Chase for Sir Michael Stoute.

HONG KONG CUP

Free Eagle is due to touch down in Hong Kong today ahead of his bid to land the world’s richest mile and a quarter turf race, the Hong Kong Cup.

“He is a horse with a lot of pace,” said Dermot Weld. “He showed that speed when he won the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot and I think a mile and a quarter is his optimum trip. We are looking forward to running him because you want to see good horses competing in these prestigious international races.” Opposition includes Designs On Rome, Blazing Speed, Military Attack and Caulfield Cup winner Criterion.

Weld is seeking a second victory at the Hong Kong International Races having saddled Additional Risk to win the inaugural Hong Kong Invitation Bowl back in 1991.

Along with Sole Power, to be ridden by Chris Hayes, the sprint features US Breeders’ Cup winner Mongolian Saturday against a high class local defence of last year’s second Peniaphobia, Lucky Nine and Gold-Fun.

The Hong Kong Mile features European challengers Mondialiste, the mount of Danny Tudhope after his great run at the Breeders’ Cup and Toormore for Richard Hannon, to be ridden by James Doyle along with Esoterique from France. Able Friend heads the field with Ryan Moore on top Japanese contender Maurice.