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10/21/2008
Superstar entries for Hong Kong Cup Day on 14 December 2008
Early indicators point to a fascinating and potentially the most exciting renewal yet of the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Races with many of the world’s best horses on course to contest the Turf World Championships on 14 December at Sha Tin.
At the close of first nominations last week, the Hong Kong Jockey Club received 300 nominations, including 81 individual Gr.1 winners with the sport’s two highest rated active thoroughbreds, Curlin and Duke Of Marmalade, in the mix. The entries stem from a record tally of 19 racing jurisdictions.
Featured nominations for the CXHKIR 2008 include-
Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint (HK$12m – US$1.6m – Gr.1 – 1200m)
Defending champion Sacred Kingdom bids to keep the world’s richest turf sprint in Hong Kong for the seventh successive year; Overdose from Hungary has pretensions to being the best sprinter in Europe, although that title will officially belong to Marchand D’Or this season; Apache Cat is the best sprinter in Australia and JJ The Jet Plane, is rated as among the fastest horse to emerge from South Africa in decades. Add in Midnight Lute, the Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner along with the Japanese filly Sleepless Night and it’s hard to imagine a stronger race.
Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase (HK$14m – US$1.8m – Gr.1 – 2400m)
An event that has been the sole preserve of European horses in recent times and the reigning titleholder Doctor Dino is searching for a repeat victory. Runaway Irish Derby winner Soldier Of Fortune could prove a difficult obstacle, however, as will English St Leger heroes, Conduit and Sixties Icon. Another Classic winner, Moonstone, victorious in the Irish Oaks also has the Vase on her agenda. Early entries are augmented by the Japanese-trained winner of Melbourne Cup, Delta Blues, and the AJC Derby winner and last weekend’s fine Caulfield Cup runner-up from New Zealand, Nom Du Jeu.
Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile (HK$16m – US$2.1m – Gr.1 – 1600m)
Good Ba Ba, the current Horse of the Year in Hong Kong, is out to regain the crown he won so thrillingly in 2007 but the Breeders’ Cup Mile champion Kip Deville, Europe’s highest-rated miler, Raven’s Pass, and fellow British star Paco Boy will take plenty of beating should they line up. Other names to note are the American Shadwell Turf Mile champion Thorn Song; Canada’s best miler and leading older horse, Rahy’s Attorney; the 1000 Guineas winner from France, Natagora; and Apollo Star, the best horse in training in Czech Republic and one who has won multiple Group races throughout Europe.
Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup (HK$20m – US$2.6m – Gr.1 – 2000m)
Preakness, Breeders’ Cup Classic and Dubai World Cup winning sensation Curlin is the highest rated horse in the world and deserves first mention here - but only just ahead of Duke Of Marmalade, five times a Gr.1 winner this year alone. Topping the pair in terms of Gr.1 wins is Weekend Hussler, successful seven times in Gr.1 races in Australia, while Vodka, famed for becoming the first filly to win the Japanese Derby in over 60 years and a Yasuda Kinen romp in June, will merit huge respect if she makes the journey across the East China Sea. Other top class females to look out for are triple Gr.1 winners Halfway To Heaven and Lush Lashes. Will it be third time lucky for Viva Pataca in this race? Or can Archipenko, successful in the Audemars Piguet QEII Cup at the course and distance earlier in the year, record another win for trainer Mike De Kock? Spirit One, the French-based winner of the Arlington Million, is another major draw card.
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