2 hours Ago By Jack Dawling
Francis Henri-Graffard could unleash the highest-rated international runner seen at Sha Tin’s marquee meeting in nearly a decade in his bid to secure a first victory in next month’s Group One Longines Hong Kong Vase (2,400m). On an international rating of 125, Goliath is set to be the highest-rated overseas raider to grace the Longines Hong Kong International Races since A Shin Hikari failed to defend his Hong Kong Cup crown off a rating of 129 in 2016. Goliath produced a breathtaking performance to dismantle a world-class field in July’s Group One King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2,400m) at Ascot, including subsequent Group One Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2,400m) heroine Bluestocking.
The French giant’s participation in the Hong Kong Vase will depend on how he comes through this weekend’s Group One Japan Cup (2,400m) in Tokyo, which is also the case for two-time Group One winner Fantastic Moon. Wow! Goliath produces a superb performance to land the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes at @Ascot for @CSoumillon and @GraffardRacing ..
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com/QQxDcNl7zk Overseas raiders have taken out the past five renewals of the Hong Kong Vase and look almost certain to continue their stranglehold on the event on December 8, with an 11-strong contingent that features no less than eight Group One winners from six different jurisdictions. The master of Ballydoyle, Aidan O’Brien, launches a two-pronged attack as he bids to collect his fourth Vase trophy, saddling up last year’s Group One Longines Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) runner-up, Luxembourg, and top-class stayer Continuous. While only a shorthead separated Luxembourg and superstar Romantic Warrior in Hong Kong’s richest race last year, O’Brien’s big gun will hope to go one better over an extended trip on his potential swansong.
He will be joined by last year’s Group One Melbourne Cup (3,200m) victor Without A Fight, who will attempt to become the first Australian winner of the contest after a promising third in the Group One Champions Stakes (2,000m) at Flemington on November 9. Trainer Andre Fabre will hope to notch consecutive wins in the Vase, with the relatively lightly raced Marquisat out to emulate Junko’s powerful victory last year. Seven-year-old Iresine completes the French contingent, while Giavellotto and Sha Tin regular Dubai Honour represent Great Britain.
The William Haggas-trained Dubai Honour will make his fourth trip to Hong Kong but will tackle Sha Tin’s 12 furlongs for the first time. Japanese raiders have won three of the past five renewals of the Hong Kong Vase and there are likely to be two stayers from the Land of the Rising Sun adding their star power to the 14-runner field in the form of Stellenbosch and Pradaria. The local team consists of Five G Patch, La City Blanche and Ka Ying Generation, while Ensued sits as a reserve.
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