Longines Hong Kong Vase preview

The traditional end-of-year finale in Hong Kong with Hong Kong International Raceday, featuring some of the best of the world's bloodstock. Studying hard for the previews has been Luke Humphreys, @WorldRacingLuke.

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Longines Hong Kong Vase

Group 1, 2400m
Sha Tin 1400 Local Time, 1700 AEST 6AM BST
(ODDS LISTED WERE BEST AVAILABLE AT TIME OF WRITING)

1 Highland Reel (11/4): Old champ that makes his final career start here after racing in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, United States of America, Hong Kong, United Arab Emirates and Australia. Won this two years ago and second last year. However only third in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf last time when ridden a tad different to usual. You had to be a bit disappointed with that as it wasn’t a vintage renewal of the race. All the best to him on his farewell, been a great horse and Europe’s richest ever.

2 Talismanic (9/2): Maxime Guyon picks up the ride due to Mickael Barzalona being suspended. Career best clearly last time in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf. Didn’t think he was up to that level at all before that but Andre Fabre is a master. However has been beaten twice this season by Tiberian and looking at the market I know which one I rather back.

3 Tiberian (16/1): Was my big tip for the Melbourne Cup for ages but got caught way too wide after a horror barrier draw and was nearly the run of the race. Has taken form up another notch this year and has beaten subsequent Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Talismanic twice this year.

4 Chemical Charge (40/1): Continues to improve, career best in the G2 Hardwicke when third. Then won a Class 2 in Scotland and a G3 on the All-Weather. Well down the track in the G1 Canadian International, not up to it.

5 Danehill Kodiac (40/1): Tough G3 Cumberland Lodge over smart French horse Waldgeist. Third in Newbury G3 last time, which was filled with disappointing horses. Not up to this.

6 Eagle Way (10/1): G3 C&D winner earlier in the season. Best of the locals but is that good enough to beat the raiders? Was C&D G1 third in May to Werther. One of only three locals. Got to the line well in G3 over 1800m last time.

7 Max Dynamite (20/1): Grand third in the Melbourne Cup finishing placed for the second time. However surely to find today’s trip too short.

8 Tosen Basil (12/1): Beat home subsequent Japan Cup winner, Cheval Grand, last time into second place when just run down late after having a nice run by Smart Layer in Kyoto G2. Joao Moreira won this last year on Japanese prepared Satono Crown.

9 Gold Mount (10/1): Was known as Primitivo in the UK and won at Royal Ascot last year. Brilliant Vase trial in the Cup Trial last time, best of the locals but won’t beat all of the raiders home.

10 Helene Charisma (66/1): Known as Mont Ormel when prepared in France and won the G1 Grand Prix de Paris last year at 33/1. Last of eight in the trial race for the Cup last time, not in best form at all.

11 Smart Call (40/1): Former South African now prepared by Sir Michael Stoute that was a multiple G1 winner in South Africa. First time over a mile and a half, forget last start, dislikes soft ground. This looks out of her depth though.

12 Kiseki (5/1): Easy Japanese St Leger winner last time however in cyclonic conditions. Second to subsequent Japan Cup runner-up before that in Rey de Oro at G2 level. Most horses that have had extremely hard runs this season in Japan haven’t quite gone on in their next couple of starts, that’s the concern for this particular horse.

Ratings: (3) TIBERIAN - (1) HIGHLAND REEL - (12) KISEKI - (8) TOSEN BASIL - (2) TALISMANIC - (9) GOLD MOUNT - (6) EAGLE WAY - (5) DANEHILL KODIAC - (4) CHEMICAL CHARGE - (11) SMART CALL

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