Hong Kong absentee Almond Eye set to return in Arima Kinen

Japanese superstar Almond Eye is set to return to action in the Arima Kinen this month after missing Hong Kong’s International fixture on Sunday.

Almond Eye had been set to run in the £2.8m Hong Kong Cup after connections opted to bypass one of her home nation’s biggest races, the Japan Cup, for the prestigious international fixture at Sha Tin this past weekend.

However, Almond Eye was withdrawn from the Longines-sponsored Group 1 last month when she developed a fever shortly before her scheduled departure.

Almond Eye won the Tenno Sho on her last start

Japan's 2018 Horse of the Year will now contest the Arima Kinen at Nakayama on December 22. It is the final Grade 1 of the season for older horses in Japan and typically proves pivotal with regards to end-of-year honours in the country.

Kunieda said: "She trained fast on December 8 and moved good, with no problem with her breathing after it. She will be able to be in her best condition on the raceday if I can continue to train her for the Arima Kinen."

The rise of Almond Eye

Almond Eye was crowned Japan's Horse of the Year in 2018 after winning the Japanese fillies' triple crown, which consists of the Oka Sho (1,000 Guineas), Yushun Himba (Oaks) and The Shuka Sho.

She proved just as lethal against her elders and the colts, beating Kiseki by a length and three-quarters to win the 2018 Japan Cup, a race she skipped as defending champion this year.

Her dominance stretched outside Japan for the first time when she beat a strong field, including Vivlos, Lord Glitters and Deirdre, to win the Dubai Turf at Meydan by a comfortable margin.

2018 was a superb year for the connections of Almond EyeCredit: Japan Racing Association

The prospect of a Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe bid was briefly entertained in the spring before connections opted against a European campaign.

Almond Eye's unbeaten run came to an end in June when she was beaten into third as favourite in the Yasuda Kinen, although the four-year-old only finished a neck behind the winner Indy Champ.

She bounced back to her best with a three-length success in the Tenno Sho under regular partner Christophe Lemaire and will bid to seal another fantastic year with success in the last domestic Grade 1 of 2019.

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