O'Brien fires two big guns with Lancaster Bomber and Roly Poly

Longines Hong Kong Mile (Group 1) | 1m| 3yo+| ATR/RUK

Talking points

O'Brien hopes dented by draw

You have to go back to 2004, when Firebreak struck for Saeed Bin Suroor, to find the last European-trained winner of this contest and Thursday's draw did little to raise confidence that the losing run would be snapped.

Aidan O'Brien's three-time Group 1 winner Roly Poly was drawn widest of all in stall 14, while Lancaster Bomber, runner-up in the Breeders' Cup Mile and the mount of Ryan Moore, will have to break from 11.

O'Brien said: “We were very pleased with Lancaster Bomber’s run in the Breeders’ Cup. He’s had a good season, he’s still improving and he’ll be a horse for next year.

“Roly Poly’s had a great year too, and she’s come out of her last race well. She’s small, but she’s got a big heart, a lovely pedigree, and she’s an enthusiastic racer, so we’ll see how she goes."

There was a more favourable draw for Lightning Spear on the inside in stall 1.

Jennie Simcock, wife of trainer David Simcock, has been overseeing Lightning Spear's preparation and put him through his paces on the turf on Friday. She said: "He's travelled well. He's got form on all different sorts of going but he is a good-moving horse so conditions will suit. We won't be trying to lead from stall 1 but it gives us a chance to get a good position and ride a race."

Discussing the significance of the draw at Sha Tin, local trainer Tony Millard, who saddles outsiders Sichuan Dar and Horse Of Fortune, said: "The draw is critical. There doesn't look like there is going to be much pace on.

"The way that they ride here they don't give an inch. There's a whole lot of horses in there with equal ability so I think a lot is going to come down to your luck in running."

Magic Man Moreira oozes confidence

Joao Moreira, nicknamed the 'magic man' by his legion of fans, rides likely favourite Seasons Bloom and is full of hope that the five-year-old can triumph.

Moreira said: "Seasons Bloom is feeling great – he's flying. He seems very healthy and has been opening up his stride like he is very free. I would say he is my best ride out of the four international races.

"He is a horse who likes to be fresh. I have no hesitation that he will be able to deliver as we have kept him fresh and he has been responding in his trackwork.

"He is an up-and-coming type of a horse and I am happy to have him as one of my rides."

Last year's winner back for more

Last year's Hong Kong Mile winner Beauty Only is without a win since, but is reported be coming to the boil nicely as he prepares to defend his crown.

Rider Zac Purton said: "We took him to Japan for the Yasuda Kinen [in June] and he ran a nice race but got a bit lost in the new environment out there. After that he had to have some time off and because of that his preparation has been delayed coming into the Internationals this year, so he's starting to peak a little bit late.

"His form at the moment is the best it has been all season and he's very close to being at his best but a month later would have been perfect. He's in with a good chance, though, and will run well."

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