RACING INFO
LONGINES Hong Kong Vase
CONTENDERS Race Info
Without A Fight
Giavellotto
Luxembourg
Dubai Honour
Iresine
Marquisat
Pradaria
Five G Patch
Continuous
La City Blanche
Ka Ying Generation
Stellenbosch
Ensued
-
Without A Fight -
Giavellotto -
Luxembourg -
Dubai Honour -
Iresine -
Marquisat -
Pradaria -
Five G Patch -
Continuous -
La City Blanche -
Ka Ying Generation -
Stellenbosch -
Ensued
Returned from a 12 months break after suffering a tendon injury with an excellent third to the high class Via Sistina in G1 VRC Champions Stakes (2000m) at Flemington and is expected to improve out of sight following that effort. Had, of course, won the G1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) and the G1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) in imposing fashion at the close of 2023. Generally ridden back in his races and has no issue with going right-handed. Majority of his wins and his starts have been on good ground but did win twice on soft tracks in the United Kingdom pre-export.
Genuine stayer with solid form from 2400m to 3000m with three of past four wins coming at around 2800m and the other at 2400m. Raced handy and fought on when third to Kyprios in the G1 Irish St Leger Stakes (2800m) last start. That followed big margin wins in the G2 Princess of Wales’s Stakes (2400m) at Newmarket in July and in the G2 Yorkshire Cup (2771m) at York in May. Has been ridden in touch on occasions but more likely to settle back in the field. Best form on good ground but was some give in the track when he won two starts back. Would appreciate a strong tempo.
Brave short head second to Romantic Warrior in the 2023 G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m). Sole triumph this year came in the G1 Coronation Cup (2405m) at Epsom from out in front. Latest battled well for sixth to Rebel’s Romance in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf (2400m) at Del Mar after finishing close up behind Economics, in a strong renewal of the G1 Irish Champion Stakes (2000m) at the Curragh. Can lead or race prominently, has performed on good and soft ground.
Well travelled, multiple Group 1 winner making his fourth trip to Hong Kong. Ran well in the 2021 G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) when fourth to Loves Only You. Returned in 2023 to finish third to Romantic Warrior in the G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) and again when well held in the same race in 2024. Has since run very well in three of four appearances at around 2400m. The exception was on the firm ground, which saw many other high profile runners also struggle, in the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2392m). Tuned up for this with very good second to The Foxes in the Listed Churchill Stakes (2038m, tapeta) at Newcastle on 16 November when tracked wide and was blocked for a clear run in the straight. Comfortable on good and soft grounds with a preference for some give. Likely to settle just behind the speed.
Evergreen winner of 15 races including two at Group 1 level. Most recent top-level win was in a strong renewal of the 2023 G1 Prix Ganay (2100m). Won three (at Group 2 and Listed level) of seven starts since then. Did not enjoy the clearest of runs in straight, in his latest outing, when fourth to Anmaat in G1 British Champion Stakes (2000m) at Ascot in October. That followed solid win in the G2 Prix Foy (2400m). Not disgraced in a ferociously run 2023 G1 Japan Cup (2400m) won by Equinox. Had very little exposure to good or firm ground and certainly relishes some give in the track. Generally holds up for a big finish.
Lightly raced four-year-old who was ostensibly disappointing at latest run in November’s G1 Grosser Preis von Bayern (2400m) at Munich. However, he was checked at the start and again on the home turn on soft ground, so the run may be best forgiven. In contention on his solid third to Goliath in the G2 Prix du Conseil de Paris (2200m) in October and his nose second to stablemate Junko, winner of the 2023 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase, in the G2 Grand Prix de Chantilly (2400m) in June. Dubai Honour and Goliath were third and fourth respectively in that race. Runner-up to Iresine in the 2023 Prix du Conseil de Paris. Tactically versatile. All his runs have come on a track with ‘soft’ in the description.
Returned from a let-up with solid effort behind Chevalier Rose in the G2 Kyoto Daishoten (2400m) in October when his condition just looked to give out late. Previous run, in June, was a brave on-pace fourth to Blow The Horn in G1 Takarazuka Kinen (2200m) run in driving rain. Boasts three Group 2 wins at 2200 and 2400m. Usually races close to the speed and handles all conditions.
Champion Stayer of 2023/24. Winner of two races over 1800m and 2000m in Ireland pre-import. Acclimatised to Hong Kong and has raced consistently, with two wins, seven seconds and four thirds from 27 starts so far. Two-time winner in Class 3, both times over 2000m. Encouraging run when third behind Russian Emperor in the 2023 G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m). In fine form in the latter part of the 2023/24 season, finished close seconds in both G3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup (2400m) and G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) behind La City Blanche and Rebel’s Romance, respectively. Eighth in the G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (2000m) latest. Hold up runner. No ground issues.
Won the G3 Royal Whip Stakes (2000m) at the Curragh in August at his most recent run on good ground. Has since struck varying soft ground and varying fortune with a creditable third to Iresine in G2 Prix Foy (2400m) before striking interference when he failed in the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m). Doubt conditions suited last time when he led and faded in the G1 British Champion Stakes (2000m). Tactically versatile. Has handled ‘softish’ ground on occasions but probably at best on good to firm.
Group 1 winner in Argentina pre-import, winning the G1 Gran Premio Jockey Club (2000m) in 2021, following this he finished sixth in the G1 Gran Premio Nacional (2500m, dirt). Two wins and two seconds from six starts in Argentina. Finished 10th in both the Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) and the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) in his debut season. Subsequently opened his Hong Kong account over 1800m at Happy Valley in 2023. Since then ran well in Hong Kong’s staying race, including winning the G3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup (2400m) and finishing third behind Rebel’s Romance in the G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m). Finished a gallant second as an outsider in the G3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse (1800m) before finishing seventh in the G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (2000m) latest. Can stay handily. Best on good going.
Trained by Donnacha O’Brien in Ireland, where he won once at Dundalk on the polytrack. Proved consistent since then in Ireland before export and opened his Hong Kong account over 2000m in February this year after three unplaced runs at Sha Tin. Finished 13th in the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) before bravely trying to pinch the 2024 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) from out in front before finishing third. Good effort again when second to Romantic Warrior in the G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (2000m) latest, his second race this season. Looks suited to extra ground. Races handily. No ground issues.
Won three of first five starts from 1600m to 1800m including the G1 Japanese 1000 Guineas (1600m) before stepping up in trip. Ran on well runner-up to Cervinia in the G1 Japanese Oaks (2400m) in May. Then a break before again finishing well behind Cervinia when third in the G1 Shuka Sho (2000m) on 13 October. Likely to settle midfield or further back. Unknown on soft ground.
Steady performer when trained by James Fanshawe in Great Britain pre-import, with one second, one third and one fourth in just three starts over the distance around one mile, twice on polytrack. Made a quick impact last season by winning his Hong Kong debut over 1800m at Sha Tin before winning over 2000m in his next start. Consistent since then and added another 2000m win to his haul before narrowly being beaten in Class 2. Good effort when third behind Helios Express in the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m). Further improved this season, landing the G3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse (1800m) two starts back before another gutsy performance when fourth behind Romantic Warrior in the G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (2000m) latest. Races midfield but can also sit prominent, best form seen so far on good or good to firm ground. Can still improve.
IJC
Vase
Sprint
Mile
Cup