Lemaire excited about big-race rides on flying fillies Eziyra and Deirdre

There must be strong argument for a new Chinese zodiac after 2018 became the year of the fantastic fillies – and they may not be done, with Eziyra and Deirdre among the big hopes for Sunday's Longines Hong Kong International meeting.

Christophe Lemaire, who moved to Japan full-time in 2015, will be in the saddle for both and will don familiar silks in the 1m4f Hong Kong Vase aboard Ezirya, owned and bred by the Aga Khan, for whom he was previously retained rider.

The Dermot Weld-trained filly was last seen when sixth behind Sistercharlie in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf under Frankie Dettori, following a three-quarter length victory in the Group 2 Blandford Stakes.

"I'm very glad Mr Weld called me for the ride," said Lemaire, fresh from victory in the Japan Cup with another star filly Almond Eye. "She looked very keen at Churchill Downs, hopefully she can settle nicely on Sunday – but I have plenty of confidence in Mr Weld, if he brought her here it means she is in good shape."

However, Lemaire rates fellow four-year-old Deirdre as his best chance of the meeting.

"I'm very confident about her," he said. "She won brilliantly last time in Tokyo [in a Grade 2 over 1m1f], her time was very good and she beat Lys Gracieux, who won the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup next time out. She'll be here fresh. She likes to run at the back of the pack but she has a nice strong, long acceleration, so hopefully the pace will be strong enough for her, and in that case she'll be a real contender."

A filly or mare has not won at the International meeting since Ryan Moore partnered Ed Dunlop's globetrotting superstar Snow Fairy to land the Hong Kong Cup in 2010. Moore, who was crowned Longines World's Best Jockey in 2016, partners William Haggas's filly One Master in the Mile, but is realistic about the challenge ahead.

"It's always hard to come and beat the Hong Kong horses, and there are some smart horses over from Japan too," said Moore. "She's a good filly though, she ran a good race at Churchill Downs [beaten only a length in the Mile behind Expert Eye] and hopefully she'll run well again."

Moore also rides Group 3 winner Mirage Dancer in the Vase for Sir Michael Stoute.

"He's unexposed and hopefully progressive, although it's hard to put a line through many of the runners," he said. "Lots of people have thrown their hat in the ring – it's a tight race, but an open race."

Both Lemaire and Moore will be riding in the Longines International Jockeys Challenge at Happy Valley on Wednesday night – follow all the action with our live blog on racingpost.com from 11am.

Positive news for Latrobe camp after Vase scare

Latrobe will need to pass one more veterinary examination to take up his engagement in the Hong Kong Vase.

The Irish Derby hero has been monitored closely since rearing and momentarily sitting down prior to track work last Friday. The Hong Kong Jockey Club issued a statement on Tuesday advising that veterinary examinations deemed the Joseph O'Brien-trained three-year-old to be 'trotting acceptably' ahead of the race.

Latrobe (white cap) is beaten a head by Trap For Fools in the Group 1 Mackinnon StakesCredit: Michael Dodge

Mark Power, assistant trainer to Joseph O'Brien, said: "He's in great form and has really developed mentally over the last few months. There are no plans yet for his work up to Sunday, Joseph will decide."

The Vase represents the second international assignment for Latrobe after he ran a fine race when runner-up in the Grade 1 Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington last month.

Other European opposition includes Waldgeist, who was well beaten by Enable in the Breeders' Cup Turf last time, and the Sylvester Kirk-trained Salouen, who came within a whisker of beating Cracksman in the Coronation Cup at Epsom in June.

Hong Kong Vase betting (best prices): 4-1 Waldgeist, 7 Mirage Dancer, Capri, 15-2 Lys Gracieux, 8 Eagle Way, 9 Salouen, 10 Latrobe, Exultant, 14 bar

Members can read the latest exclusive tipping content such as Pricewise and Paul Kealy from 8pm daily on racingpost.com