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| Staff Writer |
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The 2023 Hong Kong International Races, set to take place early December at Sha Tin, has drawn a remarkable list of nominations. A total of 189 top-tier horses, including 55 Group One winners, have been attracted to this prestigious event. Each one of them will be vying for a spot in horse racing's year-end showcase.
The Hong Kong Cup, Hong Kong Mile, Hong Kong Sprint, and Hong Kong Vase are four Group One races that offer a record prize money of HKUS$118 million. Competitors from four continents, including Australia, Great Britain, Ireland, France, Germany, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand, Macau, Japan, and Singapore, will be vying for the top spot. Superstars like Golden Sixty, Romantic Warrior, Liberty Island, Paddington, Mr Brightside, and Highfield Princess are among the big names in the race.
The local champion Golden Sixty, who is trained by Francis Lui, is leading Hong Kong's charge. Golden Sixty is chasing a record-equalling third Hong Kong Mile and has an option for Hong Kong Cup. Romantic Warrior, the winner of last year's renewal, is back to compete in the Hong Kong Cup. California Spangle, who won his first Group One race in the 2022 Hong Kong Mile, is returning to defend his crown.
Lucky Sweynesse, Sight Success, and last year’s winner Wellington are all set to compete in the Hong Kong Sprint. Russian Emperor, the Hong Kong Champion Stayer, has his sights on the Hong Kong Vase. Other nominees include Money Catcher, Super Wealthy, Beauty Eternal, Voyage Bubble, Courier Wonder, Healthy Happy, Encountered, Tuchel, Super Sunny Sing, Straight Arron, Duke Wai, and more.
Mr Andrew Harding, The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Executive Director, Racing, said: “We are extremely pleased with the entries for the 2023 Hong Kong International Races. Hong Kong’s very best horses – Golden Sixty, Romantic Warrior, California Spangle and many more are nominated to take on some of world racing’s elite, setting the scene for superb sporting action on 10 December at Sha Tin.
“We are heartened by the positive support we have received from our international friends from around the world, and it is clear that this year’s list of nominations has all of the ingredients to produce a truly unforgettable Hong Kong International Race Day.”
Japan's Liberty Island has become the seventh recipient of the Triple Tiara after winning the Gr.1 Oka Sho, Gr.1 Yushun Himba, and Gr.1 Shuka Sho this year. Trainer Mitsumasa Nakauchida has entered Liberty Island for the Hong Kong Cup and Hong Kong Vase, and could also bring Serifos, Prognosis, and Big Ribbon to Hong Kong. Meanwhile, Japan's intimidating entry is also strengthened by nominations from Shahryar, Do Deuce, and Tastiera, all winners of the Gr.1 Tokyo Yushun.
Kinross, the runner-up at Champions Day, will not participate in the Breeders' Cup and is likely to be prepared for a journey to Hong Kong instead. Trainer Ralph Beckett, on Wednesday's Nick Luck Daily Podcast, expressed his pride in the 6YO following his impressive performance on Saturday. Despite narrowly missing out to Art Power in the QIPCO Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot, Beckett commended Kinross' efforts.
He said, "Kinross ran nearly a second slower than the winner in the first furlong and in every other furlong including the final furlong he was quicker than the winner. David Allen gave the winner a fine ride.
"He's looked after us over the past couple of years and it's our time now to look after him. It's possible he'll go to Hong Kong but only a possibility,” he said.
Aidan O'Brien has 13 horses nominated for the Hong Kong races, including four-time Group One winner Paddington for the Hong Kong Mile. Luxembourg is entered for the Hong Kong Cup and Hong Kong Vase, while Kyprios - a Group One winner in Great Britain, Ireland, and France - is a possibility for the Hong Kong Vase.
Australia has a strong contingent of 23 horses, with multiple Group One winners Mr Brightside, Gold Trip, In Secret, Zaaki, and Cascadian leading the pack. Great Britain's entry of 13 is headed by four-time Group One-winning sprinter Highfield Princess, who could face Hong Kong's fastest in the Hong Kong Sprint.
France's chances could be led by Group One-winning Simca Mille for trainer Stephane Wattel, while North America sees 10 entries, led by eight from the United States of America. Dual Group One-winning mare Fev Rover is one of two horses nominated from Canada, and New Zealand's Sharp 'N' Smart is the sole entry from the country. Singapore's Lim's Kosciuszko and Macau's Famous Jonathn have also been entered.