The three Australian contenders for this Sunday’s Hong Kong International Races all look in great shape leading into the meeting with Grant Courtney getting some great images from the track.
Without A Fight has been installed favourite with bookmakers in the Hong Kong Vase (2400m) after his slashing return in the Group 1 Champions Stakes.
It couldn’t have been a more pleasing effort coming after the long injury layoff, and 12 months after his Melbourne Cup victory, with Anthony and Sam Freedman unsurprisingly sending him straight to the airport.
Another with Australian interest in the Vase will be the Willie Haggas trained Dubai Honour (7g Pride Of Dubai x Mondelice), winner of the Ranvet Stakes and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in his only two Australian appearances.
Coming off a second in the Group 1 Grosser Prix Von Baden two runs ago and something of an unlucky effort behind The Foxes on the all weather track at Newcastle last time, he’s currently third favourite.
Antino is representing in the Hong Kong Mile after his brilliant spring where he won or placed in four Group One mile races, headlined by the Toorak Handicap victory.
He’s currently on the second line of betting alongside local hope Voyage Bubble (6g Deep Field x Raheights), with the Japan’s Soul Rush (6h Rulership x Eternal Bouquet) favourite after his brilliant win in the Group 1 Mile Championship at Kyoto on November 17.
Ciaron Maher’s five year-old Shalaa gelding Recommendation is having a throw at the stumps in the Hong Kong Sprint and fair to say the bookies are thinking it’s not likely as an easing $34 chance.
The race will be a must watch as the current local superstar in waiting Ka Ying Rising aims to cement that title with his first Group One win and has been installed a $1.25 favourite to do just that.
The David Hayes trained five year-old Shamexpress gelding has won eight of his 10 starts, the latest a three length romp in the Group II Jockey Club Sprint on November 17.
There's no Australian trained runner in the Hong Kong Cup (2000m) however plenty of interest in the Cox Plate hero Romantic Warrior aiming for three wins in the race under James McDonald. He's the $1.50 favourite currently.
