Latrobe and Eziyra give Ireland strong hand in Sha Tin showpieces

Entries were revealed on Wednesday for the four Longines Hong Kong International Races which will be staged at Sha Tin on December 9, with strong European representation set to take on a deep-looking local defence and a talented team from Japan.

The Aga Khan's Eziyra is an eye-catching name among 11 acceptors for the feature Hong Kong Cup over 1m2f, a race which has eluded European trainers since Ed Dunlop struck with Snow Fairy in 2010.

"Eziyra will be running at Sha Tin but we're not sure yet whether it will be in the Vase or the Cup," said trainer Dermot Weld. "She has been accepted for the Cup and has been nominated for the Vase."

Eziyra already has plenty of travel experience after finishing sixth in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Churchill Downs this monthCredit: Edward Whitaker

Stormy Antarctic is due to represent Ed Walker in the Cup, while owner Siu Pak Kwan can also look forward to the John Moore-trained Eagle Way carrying his colours in the Vase.

Tony Cruz has booked William Buick for the mercurial Pakistan Star in the Vase over a mile and a half, a race in which the European challenge is headed by the Andre Fabre-trained Waldgeist.

Vase entry Latrobe will be a first runner at the meeting for Joseph OBrien and is one of several contenders coming on from the Melbourne Spring Carnival.

Australian quarantine rules imposed in a dispute over bio-security at the new mainland Chinese training centre at Conghua do not affect any of those horses that will be heading back to Europe after the December 9 meeting at Sha Tin.

Latrobe (left) was a close-up second in the McKinnin Stakes over 1m2f at Flemington and will step back up in trip for the Longines Hong Kong VaseCredit: Michael Dodge

"Latrobe ran very well to be beaten only a head in the Mackinnon Stakes and going back up to a mile and a half at Sha Tin will suit him," said O'Brien.

Charlie Fellowes will run Melbourne Cup third Prince Of Arran, who previously landed the Lexus Stakes over the Vase trip.

"I think a mile and a half is a very interesting trip to be running him over, because there have been a few occasions this season when I feel he hasn't quite got home over two miles," said Fellowes. "I think the track will suit him but it's a strong race."

Aidan O'Brien has Rostropovich and Capri – who runs in Sunday's Japan Cup – entered for the Vase, while the British challenge looks strong courtesy of Mirage Dancer, Salouen and Red Verdon.

Haggas and Balding undeterred by world's best miler

The Longines Hong Kong Mile has been a stronghold for locally-trained horses in recent years and the John Moore-trained Beauty Generation is likely to be the shortest-priced favourite in any of the four International races on the card, having shown he is in the form to back up last year's win with a track record-breaking performance in the Jockey Club Mile last Sunday.

Prix de la Foret one-two One Master and Inns Of Court will make the trip for trainers William Haggas and Andre Fabre, while Andrew Balding fields Beat The Bank.

The Sprint has also been a happy hunting ground for the home team but Japan's best sprinter, Fine Needle, looks a big threat, while Sir Dancealot seeks his Group 1 breakthrough for trainer David Elsworth.

For all the latest global stories and race reports, go to racingpost.com/news/international