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| Staff Writer |
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For the first time since 2017, Sha Tin's marquee meeting is expected to have an American influence. The Jockey Club has added Christophe Clement-trained stayer Soldier Rising to this year's HK$24 million Group One Longines Hong Kong Vase field.
Soldier Rising, who spent his 2YO- and 3YO seasons under the tutelage of French trainer Andre Fabre, has been competing in the United States for the past two and a half years under Clement's banner. He is set to become the first American runner at the Hong Kong International Races since Peter Miller-prepared sprinter Stormy Liberal finished 11th behind Mr Stunning six seasons ago. Despite not having won a black-type event, Soldier Rising boasts an impressive record that includes four second-place finishes in Group One contests run in 2023. He was the runner-up in May's Man o' War Stakes, June's Manhattan Stakes, August's Sword Dancer Stakes, and October's Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes.
Only two American visitors have won HKIR races in the past, with Glen Kate triumphing in the April 1993 edition of the Hong Kong International Bowl and Val's Prince taking out the 1997 Hong Kong International Cup. Meanwhile, Japanese raiders have won three of the past four renewals of the Hong Kong Vase, and this year, four stayers from the Land of the Rising Sun will be seeking to succeed Win Marilyn as the title holder. Among Japan's Hong Kong Vase squad are Group One champions Shahryar and Geraldina, with Group Two victors Zeffiro and Lebensstil adding their star power. In total, 14 Japanese gallopers are among the Jockey Club's selections for the four HKIR events.
Aidan O'Brien has a representative in all four HKIR races, but the Hong Kong Vase is the only one the phenomenally successful Irish trainer has won. Warm Heart, triumphant in the Group One Prix Vermeille at Longchamp in September, will be attempting to emulate Highland Reel and Mogul for O'Brien. Simon and Ed Crisford's West Wind Blows, who recently campaigned in Australia, beating Romantic Warrior when finishing second to Gold Trip in the Group One Turnbull Stakes at Flemington, and Fabre's Group One Grosser Preis von Bayern winner, Junko, are the British and French gallopers among the Hong Kong Vase runners. No Hong Kong stayer has won a Hong Kong Vase since Exultant defeated Lys Gracieux by a neck in 2018. Russian Emperor represents Hong Kong's best hope of winning the longest of the four HKIR contests, with Senor Toba, Five G Patch and La City Blanche also among the field for the 12-furlong examination.