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Ralph Beckett is under no illusions about the task facing Starlust in the Gr.1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint, but the British trainer is relishing the chance to take on local speedster Ka Ying Rising at Sha Tin on December 8.
Ka Ying Rising stamped himself as the one to beat after demolishing the track record in the Gr.2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint, continuing Hong Kong's recent dominance in the 1,200m contest. Previous winners include sprint sensations Wellington (2022), who went on to land the Gr.1 Chairman's Sprint Prize, and Sky Field (2021), successful in Dubai's Gr.1 Al Quoz Sprint.
Beckett, no stranger to Hong Kong success having trained for several prominent owners, believes the right-handed configuration of Sha Tin will play to Starlust's strengths. "The horse has come out of California in good shape," Beckett said. "Whether he's good enough to get competitive is another thing, but he'll be very well suited by the nature of Sha Tin."
Starlust arrives in career-best form following his breakthrough Group One success in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar, a performance that convinced owners Jim and Fitri Hay to supplement for the Hong Kong feature. The British challenger heads a strong international contingent including Japanese raider Lugal and American challenger Nobals. They'll face local talents California Spangle, Invincible Sage and Victor The Winner in the US$3.3m feature.
"Ka Ying Rising looked like a monster the other day, but inevitably you have to run your horse where you think suits him best," Beckett said. "He's a Group One winner and if we pass up the opportunity to run in Hong Kong we've got a long time to wait until conditions are on his side again."
Despite an extensive 18-race campaign, Beckett remains confident in Starlust's resilience. "He showed when he went to Santa Anita as a 2YO how much he thrived travelling, and the same happened this year. He's very straightforward to train, so I wouldn't be concerned about how long he's been on the go. He enjoys the challenge," he said.
The international line-up for the Gr.1 Hong Kong Vase has seen significant changes, with German challenger Fantastic Moon withdrawn following his Japan Cup effort. "Finishing 11th in the Japan Cup, Fantastic Moon appeared a bit tired in the final furlong. It was a long season for him," said Lars-Wilhelm Baumgarten of Liberty Racing.
French star Goliath, rated 125 and the highest-rated overseas raider in nearly a decade following his victory in the Gr.1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes, remains doubtful despite holding an entry.
The changes could see local hope Ensued, trained by champion handler John Size, redirected from the Cup to tackle the Vase, marking his first attempt at 2,400m. The Gr.3 Sa Sa Ladies' Purse winner would dodge a rematch with city champion Romantic Warrior by switching races.
Adding international flair to the riding ranks, French young gun Alexis Pouchin begins a short-term contract at Sha Tin this Sunday, running through to January 31, further enhancing the global appeal of Hong Kong's premier racing carnival.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong Derby victor Massive Sovereign is stepping up preparations for the Gr.1 Hong Kong Cup, with Zac Purton keeping faith despite recent setbacks. The 4YO, trained by Dennis Yip Chor-hong, hasn't won since his classic triumph in March but showed promise in a recent trial.
"I don't want to keep making excuses for him, but I feel like there's more there than he's delivered in his last three runs," Purton said. "He's working well and he's doing well, but he's getting a bit too clever. When he gets to the front or gets away from horses, he just wants to pull up." After becoming the first horse in nearly three decades to win a Hong Kong Derby on only his second local start, Massive Sovereign faces Japanese hope Liberty Island and the Aidan O'Brien-trained duo Wingspan and Content in the US$4.5m contest.