'We've got our visas ready' - sale to decide Saffron Beach's Hong Kong fate

Jane Chapple-Hyam faces an anxious wait to see whether her stable star and dual Grade 1 winner Saffron Beach will fly overseas on Saturday, with the filly's participation in the Longines Hong Kong Mile on December 11 up in the air.

Saffron Beach, who won the Group 2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot and Group 1 Prix Rothschild in the summer, is entered in the Tattersalls December Mare Sale on Tuesday and it will be down to her buyer whether she boards the plane or not.

The four-year-old is the sole British entry at this year's Hong Kong International Races and could take on local hero Golden Sixty, who has won the last two Hong Kong Miles.

"We've been non-stop for four hours just showing her to clients, we've got our visas ready and flights booked so it's an interesting time," Chapple-Hyam said.

"The journey's not over until the fall of the hammer and we know who the buyer is, but the best from around the world have looked at her and they're all complimentary."

Saffron Beach adapted well to travelling when fourth in the Dubai Turf in March, and had an excuse for trailing in eighth of nine when sent off favourite for October's Sun Chariot Stakes.

Chapple-Hyam said of her most recent run: "She scoped dirty when she got home, so we had an answer for her run, and the same happened before the Breeders' Cup so we didn't risk putting her on the plane to Keeneland.

"The last time she scoped poorly was when she was disappointing in the Falmouth as a three-year-old, so whenever she's run a bad race there has always been a reason."

The Sha Tin showpiece was last won by a British trainer in 1999 when John Hills struck with Docksider, and another consideration for prospective buyers will be the booking of Sunday's Japan Cup-winning rider Ryan Moore.

The trainer said: "You can tell who is interested when you say she's got an invitation to run in the Hong Kong Mile and it's worth £3,000,000 – it could help towards her purchase price.

"It's a strong race, but she travels well and has grown up so much from her early days when she was always running at Newmarket. The ground won't be as quick as when she won at Royal Ascot, and she's got the best jockey in the world on her back."

Saffron Beach is lot 1878 and estimated to sell at around 6pm on Tuesday evening, with fellow Group 1 winner Alcohol Free entered in the same sale.

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