There are a lot of raiders this year in the HKIR and a very strong home team.
All four of the winners of the G1 races are back to defend their titles which adds a touch of drama to the day. Horses often seem to respond to the familiar surroundings and conditions and put in a repeat win.
Race 4 is the Vase over 2400m, a distance seldom run in Hong Kong which leaves it open to the internationals headed by last year's winner Giavelotto, trained by Marco Botti and the ride of Andrea Atzeni. He was 4th in the Arc which is a decent prep and will probably start favourite on 5.1 but there are challengers and it may not be as easy as last year.
One of his main challengers is the Fabre trained Sosie who recently was 2nd in the Foy and then third in the Arc (ahead of Giavelotto) and is a horse on the up. Guyon is his regular partner and will be aboard this time and they are on 5.4.
We also like Al Riffa in this. He struck traffic problems in the Melbourne Cup but before that had won the Irish St Leger and the Curragh Cup. He's on 8.1 and that to us is value. Dyland Brown McMonagle rides as usual for Joseph O'Brien.
Goliath is capable of doing well here but seems to blow a bit hot and cold. He won the GP Baden and then bombed out at Del Mar. He's 12.0 with Soumillon riding for Graffard.
The Sprint should be sensational as Ka Ying Rising goes for his 16th consecutive win. He's travelled and conquered and is the best sprinter going round if you take his Everest win as a benchmark. He is of course unbackable. David Hayes and Zac Purton will be very nervous beforehand but they shouldn't have any worries.
So we are talking quinellas really and suggest Satono Reve who was third in this race last year and will have Ryan Moore on board – they are on 35.0, Fast Network another useful local on 40.0 for Yip – J Mac and Win Carnelian on the same quote and a roughie in Khadeem on 74.0.
You have a chance to get your breath back before the Mile which is Race 7. Voyage Bubble won this last year and has slipped a bit under the radar here despite having a wonderful year including winning the Triple Crown. Zac Purton rides as usual and they are on 5.0.
The current favourite is My Wish on 3.8 but he was only 4th in the Jockey Club Mile so we are not totally convinced. We like the Japanese filly Embroidery who is having her first run against the older horses but has shown a bit of grit in her runs and the 1600m should suit well. Lemaire rides and she is on 9.9.
We have always liked Beauvatier who recently won at Newmarket over 1400m as a warm-up but has no trouble with the mile. His trackwork here in Friday was top class so on 39.0 what is there not to like? Alex Pouchin has come out to ride for Y Barberot.
Soul Rush was second in this last year and won the Dubai Turf over a longer trip this year but his recent form hasn't seemed that convincing. However he is a very good horse and if he's right should put in a good show. 15.0 the quote at present.
And of course we can't ignore Docklands who was brave enough to go to the Japan Cup and although he had no luck there he ran well enough to encourage connections to continue the travels and run here. He's on 34.0 and not the roughest.
Surprisingly the Cup only has seven runners. Is Romantic Warrior so unconquerable that he scared everyone away? Of course he is expected to win and it will be to a huge reception should he do so and that seems an even more likely scenario with such a small field. One that could worry him is the French filly Quisisana who broke through to win the Jean Rominet recently. She is from Graffard's yard and will have Soumillon riding.
The weather is cool with sunny periods expected and a possible top of 20 which should make it pretty ideal for racing.
Good luck everyone!
