Japanese star Almond Eye to miss Hong Kong Cup with raised temperature

The Longines Hong Kong International Races meeting has lost one of its star draws with news that six-time Group and Grade 1 winner Almond Eye will not travel to Sha Tin for next Sunday's £2.7 million Cup.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club officially announced Almond Eye's withdrawal on Saturday morning, citing a raised temperature.

Trainer Sakae Kunieda said: "I'm sorry to everyone who was looking forward to her run in Hong Kong. While it isn't an issue, I don't want to run her unless she is in perfect condition.

"Given the situation it is in the horse's best interest not to go. We will watch her carefully over the next few days and decide where to go from there."

The winner of the fillies triple crown and the Japan Cup as a three-year-old, Almond Eye proved her credentials abroad for the first time when storming to success in the Dubai Turf at Meydan in March.

Having suffered defeat when dropped back to a mile in the Yasuda Kinen – a race in which she suffered serious interference coming out of the stalls – Almond Eye and regular partner Christophe Lemaire returned to their dominant best in the Tenno Sho last month.

Almond Eye's defection leaves the Aidan O'Brien-trained Magic Wand the leading international challenger for the Cup, the richest of four Group 1 races on next Sunday's card.

Indy Champ and Kenichi Ikezoe (red cap) score in the Mile Championship at KyotoCredit: Masakazu Takahashi

Meanwhile the Silk Horse Club colours will still be carried at the meeting by Almond Eye's Yasuda Kinen conqueror Indy Champ, who is favourite with most bookmakers to deprive Beauty Generation of a third win in the Hong Kong Mile.

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