Star-studded fields for HK international races

Hong Kong: No fewer than 22 Group 1 winners representing nine nations spread across five continents are set to compete in the four Cathay Pacific-sponsored Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin on December 13.

Fields for the four races, which carry $8million in total prize-money, were released yesterday by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Britain is well represented with a number of likely runners at one of the world's most cosmopolitan meetings.

The Luca Cumani-trained Presvis, who returned to action at Lingfield on Saturday, heads the British team in the Hong Kong Cup, the world's richest 1m2f turf race in which Eagle Mountain is bididng to complete back-to-back successes for Mike de Kock.

Prince of Wales's Stakes winner Vision D'Etat represents France, but Hong Kong Derby winner Collection is vying for favouritism with British bookmakers.

In 15 previous runnings of the Hong Kong Vase, 13 have gone to horses trained in either France or Britain.

Next month's running of the 1m4f event is set to feature three-time Arc runner-up Youmzain and last year's second Purple Moon, plus Spanish Moon, Campanologist and Buccellati.

The home team here is led by Hong Kong's horse of the year, the seven-time Group 1 winner Viva Pataca, still looking for his first win at the terriotory's showpiece meeting.

Among nine Group 1 winners set to line up for the HK Sprint are dual Nunthorpe hero Bordelescott and Prix de l'Abbaye winner Total Gallery.

However, they will face a mighty task against the world'stop sprinters, among them world champion Sacred Kingdom, Royal Ascot winner Scenic Blast and his Australian counterparts All Silent and Apache Cat.

Last year's shock winner Inspirartion and Breeders' Cup winner California Flag are also lined up to race here - as is the James Eustace-trained War Artist - but Happy Zero, impressive winner of the Sprint Trial at Sha Tin last weekend, goes instead for the Mile.

Rivals will include dual winner Good Ba Ba plus three fromBritain - Pressing, Alexandros and Confront - and Duff from Ireland.