Magical chases Ballydoyle's record eighth Group 1 win in Sunday's Hong Kong Cup

Ryan Moore bids for a landmark success aboard Magical in the Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Cup (8.30am Sunday), in which she spearheads a strong Ballydoyle raiding party across the International meeting at Sha Tin.

Moore believes Magical is primed to make history for Aidan O'Brien in the eight-runner 1m2f showpiece in which the Irish globetrotter bids for an incredible eighth success at the highest level.

Magical, who was last seen finishing second in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland, shares top billing at Ballydoyle for the most Group 1 wins with stars such as Highland Reel, Yeats, Minding and Rock Of Gibraltar.

Sha Tin on Sunday card

Moore said: "Magical has been great for a long time and it's fantastic that she's here. She's won seven Group 1s and the reality is they probably have her to beat, but again you always respect the horses that are in there."

He added: "There are three smart Japanese horses in there that have won Group 1s and Furore is in good shape. It's a small field but there's not a bad horse in there."

Last year's winner Win Bright, who overcame O'Brien runner Magic Wand that day, is back to defend his crown for Japanese pair Yoshihiro Hatakeyama and jockey Masami Matsuoka.

If successful, Win Bright will become only the second horse in history to land back-to-back runnings of the Hong Kong Cup after California Memory in 2011 and 2012.

Matsuoka said: "I hope Win Bright can do it again as this is his main target this year and the final race of his career."

Mogul: has solid claims in the Hong Kong VaseCredit: © Aprh / Quentin Bertrand

Earlier, Ryan Moore rides the smart Mogul in the Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Vase (6.00am) in which O'Brien's charge faces six classy rivals including 2018 winner Exultant.

Moore said: "Mogul was very impressive when he won the Grand Prix de Paris and he wasn't beaten far at the Breeders' Cup in what was a messy sort of a race. There’s only seven in there and Exultant always runs his race, but Mogul would look to have a solid chance."

On Exultant, trainer Tony Cruz said: "I'm very happy with his condition leading up to the race – he's fit and ready for another crack at this."

O'Brien fields shock Breeders' Cup Mile winner Order Of Australia (Pierre Charles Boudot) against hometown star Golden Sixty in the Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Mile (7.50am) in a ten-strong field that also includes another Irish runner in Romanised

Trained by Francis Lui, Golden Sixty is on a remarkable run of ten straight wins at Sha Tin, the last two at Group 2 level, and has won all but one of his 14 starts.

Lui said: "I'm confident with Golden Sixty but the overseas horses have some strong form. It will take a big performance."

On Romanised, trainer Ken Condon said: "If Billy Lee is where he wants to be, Romanised will be the last horse off the bridle. He'll travel for you further than anything else. I can see him doing that and he might just enjoy it.

"I'm looking forward to it and the fire still burns in him – he looks a picture for the time of the year. I'm very happy with his condition and when you go that far, you just want them to turn up and give their best. The boys are very happy with him."

Romanised: Hong Kong Mile contender for Ken CondonCredit: Patrick McCann

Condon has huge respect for Golden Sixty and added: "I've watched a few of his races and he can produce a quick quarter-mile when he needs to and go under 22 seconds when he needs to. He's got that ability."

Local jockey Vincent Ho, who rides Golden Sixty, could also be in business in the Longines Hong Kong Sprint (6.40am) in which he partners star sprinter Classique Legend.

Formerly trained in Australia, Classique Legend faces 13 rivals but the world's joint top-rated sprinter will have to defy stall one.

Trainer Caspar Fownes said: "I was really hoping for gate five, to tell you the truth, but it is what it is."

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