Fifty six horses have been invited to the Hong Kong International Race meeting which is to be held at Sha Tin on the 14 of December. Over half of the runners are from outside of Hong Kong - no less than 37.

The four races consist of the Sprint, Mile, Vase and Cup - the last being also the final leg of the World Series Championship. 

The South African interest is in the Sprint where champion National Currency is one of 14 runners in the five furlong dash. The Michael Azzie trainee faces a strong field which includes high class Hong Kong sprinters Grand Delight and All Thrills Too, as well as Diadem Stakes hero Acclamation, Prix del’ Abbaye second and third in The Trader and The Tatling respectively and Roger Charlton’s improving sprinter, Deportivo. The Sprint is run at set weights. 

The Vase, run over a mile and a half, has a strong international contingent. Breeders Turf dead heater, Johar, heads the invites and runs in this weekend’s Japan Cup. Other runners include last year’s winner Ange Gabriel, Prix Ganay winner Fair Mix, Cox Plate winner Fields of Omagh and recent Premio Roma winner Imperial Dancer. Hong Kong’s recent inquisition, Roosevelt, ran third to Alamshar and Arc winner Dalakhani in the Irish Derby. 

The Hong Kong Mile sees a strong field of horses for the home side. Last year’s winner Olympic Express, the impressive Ninetyfive Emperor take on high class North American runner Sarafan, Prix du Moulin third Lohengrin and Godolphin’s Firebreak. 

The ten furlong Hong Kong Cup will see Falbrav make his swansong before he retires to stud in Japan. Coming off a game third in the Breeders Cup Turf over a mile and a half, the son of Fairy King drops back to a more suitable ten furlongs. The seven time Group One winner will be ridden by Frankie Dettori, who won the Japan Cup on him last year. Other top horses include Champion Stakes winner Rakti, multiple Grade One winner Denon, last year’s winner Precision, and high class fillies Bright Sky, Ana Marie and Elegant Fashion.