Blinkers for Derby winner who must overcome wide draw in Hong Kong Vase

Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck will wear blinkers for the first time in the Longines Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin on Sunday and must overcome a wide draw in stall 12 if he is to end a six-month drought stretching back to his Epsom heroics.

There was little luck on the draw front for the other Ballydoyle representative in the Vase either, as Wayne Lordan's mount Mount Everest will come out of stall 13. Only Exultant, last year's winner and this year's favourite, is drawn wider.

Frankie Dettori has been booked by William Haggas to ride Young Rascal for the first time in what is arguably one of the most competitive editions of the Vase for some time. The recent Listed winner at Kempton will come out of stall ten.

Haggas said: "This is a perfect fit for Young Rascal, it’s a month since Kempton. He's been very good and he’s been training really well this autumn. He’s definitely a reformed character from the one he used to be."

Jason Watson will bid to become the youngest winning jockey at the Longines Hong Kong International Races on Aspetar and Roger Charlton reports his progressive stayer to be in rude health ahead of Sunday's showdown.

Charlton said: "I'm pleased with what I've seen and travelling doesn't seem to bother him. He's a bit keen and he's sure to be on his toes when you see him in the paddock on Sunday. Let's hope he can get some cover in the race."

Magic Wand, who has already had 11 starts in 2019, is vying for favouritism in the feature Longines Hong Kong Cup and she has landed the plum draw in stall two.

Magic Wand (Wayne Lordan) exercises at Sha Tin on Thursday morningCredit: Edward Whitaker

Beauty Generation is favourite to complete a hat-trick of Hong Kong Mile wins, a feat last achieved by Good Ba Ba from 2007 to 2009, and John Moore said excuses will not wash this time following two shock defeats as he is not giving weight away to his main rivals.

"We've found nothing. He's a very sound horse. No excuses now. He's not giving away lots of weight, so we're looking forward to a big run," said Moore of Beauty Generation, who has been drawn in stall five.

Moore thinks the explosive Aethero could become a champion one day and, should he justify short-price favouritism in the Hong Kong Sprint from stall ten, he will be well on the way to achieving that tag.

Moore said: "His work has gone to plan and everything has shown he has the talent. Now he's got to prove he's a world-class sprinter. He's very exciting, he has an engine.

"He looks like he could go on to be a champion. He's got everything about him – appearance, stride and the athleticism. It's very exciting."

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