RACING INFO
LONGINES Hong Kong Cup
CONTENDERS Race Info
Romantic Warrior
Spirit Dancer
Straight Arron
Tastiera
Calif
Nimble Nimbus
The Foxes
Encountered
Liberty Island
Content
Wingspan
-
Romantic Warrior -
Spirit Dancer -
Straight Arron -
Tastiera -
Calif -
Nimble Nimbus -
The Foxes -
Encountered -
Liberty Island -
Content -
Wingspan
2023/24 Hong Kong Horse of the Year who continues to shine this season, with another eye-catching victory in the G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (2000m) last start by an easy four and a quarterlengths. Already emerged as a genuine star after his crushing win in the 2022 G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) before successfully defending his title in the race in 2023. 16-time winner in Hong Kong, including the G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Crowned Champion Middle-Distance Horse for a third time last term (2023/24), too after scoring a famous success in the 2023 G1 Cox Plate (2040m) last October. Also won the G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) and G1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) last season. Likes to race on speed, won on good and good to firm ground.
Two-time G2 Bahrain International Trophy (2000m) winner in 2023 and 2024. Backed up from his victory in that race last year with a creditable fourth to Measured Time in the G1 Jebel Hatta (1800m) in Dubai – his best performance at Group 1 level. He then won the G2 Neom Turf Cup (2100m) at King Abdulaziz in Saudi Arabia. Generally ridden back although did race more prominently earlier in his career. At his best on good to firm ground but has also won on soft tracks.
Group 3 winner in Hong Kong and opened his account in the city in a Class 3 over 1800m at Sha Tin before claiming the 2023 G3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup (2400m). Finished fourth in the 2023 G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) behind Russian Emperor before winning the 2023 G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (2000m). Finished a brave fourth in the 2023 G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) behind quality performers. Fourth first-up to Galaxy Patch in the G2 Sha Tin Trophy (1600m) before finishing sixth in the G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m) last time out. No ground concerns and is capable at times. Strong closer.
Raced handy and fought on well when runner-up to Do Deuce in G1 Tenno Sho Autumn (2000m) on 27 October. That was his first run since April after finishing seventh in the G1 Tenno Sho Spring (3200m). G1 Tokyo Yushun (2400m) winner last year and well tried over further but this could well be his ideal distance range. Generally races handy to the pace. Placed only start on yielding ground and is still open to his fair share of improvement.
Performed well in four runs for stable. That sequence began with a very comfortable win over Al Hakeem in the G3 La Coupe (2000m) at Longchamp in June before G1 Grosser Preis Bayerisches Zuchtrennen (2000m) victory over Fantastic Moon in July. Then had ten weeks break before fading late when fourth to Jayarebe in the G2 Prix Dollar (1950m) in October. Final tune-up for this came with a solid third to Spirit Dancer in the G2 Bahrain International Trophy (2000m). Ridden back last time but can race prominently. Best on good ground but a little give in the track is unlikely to be a concern.
Consistent with six wins, four seconds and eight thirds from 33 starts. Won three times in 2022/23 at Happy Valley. Maintained fine form last term, finishing a close second in his seasonal reappearance over 1800m. Landed a career-high with victory in the 2024 G3 Centenary Vase (1800m) in February after finishing a gallant fourth in the G3 January Cup (1800m) at the start of 2024. Third in the G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) and fourth in the G2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m) since then. Fine fifth two starts back in the G3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse (1800m) and then finished a creditable third behind Romantic Warrior in the G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (2000m) last start. Races handy but also has a great turn of foot in the final stages. No ground issues.
Responded very well to change of tactics when led throughout, to beat Dubai Honour, by three lengths in the Listed Churchill Stakes (2038m, tapeta) at Newcastle on 16 November. While the runner-up was arguably unlucky, The Foxes held a clear margin on the line and that was just his second run after a lengthy break. Might be recapturing his strong three-year-old form which included G2 Dante Stakes (2051m) win, G1 Derby Stakes (2405m) fifth at Epsom and second in the G1 Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes (2000m). Unplaced only start on soft ground. Had been a hold-up horse but that all changed last start at Newcastle.
Formerly trained in Great Britain, Encountered was a winner at Doncaster pre-import over 1405m by four lengths for trainer Marco Botti. Opened his Hong Kong account in his final race of his rookie season in 2021/22 in a Class 3 1600m race as a 198/1 longshot. Further improvement displayed in the following season, adding five more wins to his tally, including a Class 1 over 1600m at Sha Tin. In fine form early last term, achieving his career best when landing his first Group race in the 2023 G3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse (1800m). Unplaced in three starts this term but was a solid fifth behind Romantic Warrior in the G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (2000m). Hold up runner and tends to be best on good ground.
Resumed from a seven month break to be caught wide on speed all the way before fading over the last 200m when 13th in the G1 Tenno Sho Autumn (2000m) on 27 October. That was her first run since March after she was third behind Rebel’s Romance in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2410m). Commanding winner of 2023’s G1 Oka Sho (1600m), G1 Japanese Oaks (2400m), and also winning the G1 Shuka Sho (2000m) to be crowned Japanese Triple Tiara winner – only the seventh in history – and beating all bar superstar Equinox in the 2023 G1 Japan Cup (2400m). Best when ridden from midfield. Unknown on soft ground.
Quality filly who was runner-up to You Got To Me in G1 Irish Oaks (2400m) before reversing placings with that rival in the G1 Yorkshire Oaks (2371m) earlier in the season. Then struck soft tracks at next two Group 1 assignments in France and England before doing best work late when sixth in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (2200m). Likely to settle midfield. Did win on a soft track early in career but preferred on good ground.
Lightly raced and promising three-year-old filly from the Aidan O’Brien stable. Raced handy, momentarily short of room early in the straight but stayed on well when fifth to Rebel’s Romance in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf (2400m) at Del Mar. That followed a front-running second to Kalpana in G1 British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes (2321m) at Ascot. Likely to race on the pace and has won on good through to heavy grounds.
IJC
Vase
Sprint
Mile
Cup