 |
|
| Staff Writer |
 |
On 10th December, Highfield Princess, the superstar mare, will strive to be the first British winner of the Group One Longines Hong Kong Sprint. In this thrilling six-furlong dash, she will face off against Lucky Sweynesse.
Highfield Princess, who rose to fame from a rating of 57 three summers ago, is set to defend her title and go up against a group of elite speedsters in the HK$26 million contest. The daughter of Night Of Thunder achieved a remarkable feat last season, winning three international Group One races - Prix Maurice de Gheest, Nunthorpe Stakes, and Flying Five Stakes - in just a span of five weeks.
Despite going winless in her first three starts this season, which included two top-level contests at Royal Ascot, Highfield Princess finally clinched her first victory of the season in August’s Group Two King George Stakes at Goodwood. After a runner-up finish in the Nunthorpe at York, the 6YO mare recorded a below-par performance in September’s Flying Five, finishing fifth. However, she defied a wide draw to win last month’s Group One Prix de l’Abbaye.
Highfield Princess is set to face ten opponents, including Lucky Sweynesse, the world’s top-rated speedster, who is seeking to win Hong Kong’s four Group One sprints in the same calendar year after his victory in last Sunday’s Group Two Jockey Club Sprint. Wellington, the defending champion, and Aesop’s Fables, the sole 3YO in the field, are also aiming for a top finish. The Japanese representatives are Mad Cool and Jasper Krone.