There is a distinct Kiwi flavour to the 191-strong nominations for December’s LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR), headlined by New Zealand-bred Australian stars Antino (NZ) (Redwood) and Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars).
Antino, a son of Westbury Stud stallion Redwood, was an impressive last start winner of the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield earlier this month and the Tony Gollan-trained six-year-old is now in line to head to Hong Kong to tackle the HK$36 million (NZ$7.7 million) Gr.1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m).
Multiple Group One winner Mr Brightside will be looking to continue his purple patch of form in the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley on Saturday, and trainers Ben, JD and Will Hayes are eyeing a potential tilt at the HKIR meeting with their charge if he performs up to expectations, having nominated him for both the HK$40 million (NZ$8.6 million) Gr.1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) and Hong Kong Mile.
Emerging New Zealand-bred sprinting sensation Ka Ying Rising is adding plenty of anticipation to the Gr.1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) for local supporters, with the gelding swiftly becoming a fan favourite in Hong Kong.
The four-year-old Shamexpress gelding, who was bred by Fraser Auret under his Grandmoral Lodge Racing banner, has been a revelation for trainer David Hayes, winning seven of his nine starts to date and was crowned last season’s Champion Griffin and Most Improved Horse.
He has won both of his starts this preparation, including the Gr.2 Premier Bowl Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin last Sunday, and will tackle next month’s Gr.2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) as a final lead in run to the Hong Kong Sprint.
Cambridge trainer Andrew Forsman, who campaigned his Group One winner Aegon in Hong Kong last year, is keen for a taste of more, nominating Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) hopeful Positivity for the HK$24 million (NZ$5.1 million) Gr.1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m).
Group One performer Sacred Satono is the only other New Zealand-trained horse among the nominations, with trainers Bruce Wallace and Grant Cooksley eyeing the Hong Kong Sprint with the son of Sacred Satono.
The HKIR meeting at Sha Tin on December 8 will offer HK$126 million (NZ$27 million) in prizemoney and feature some of the best equine athletes on the planet, with the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Executive Director of Racing Andrew Harding pleased with the quality of nominations they have received.
“Romantic Warrior, Hong Kong’s current banner horse, will aim to become the first horse to win three LONGINES Hong Kong Cups,” Harding said.
“Galaxy Patch and Ka Ying Rising, two of our most exciting horses, also feature and, we are very encouraged by the support we have received from our international friends around the world.
“We are confident that this year’s list has the right mix to deliver another memorable LONGINES Hong Kong International Races, which boasts a record purse of HK$126 million for the four Group One races.”
