Hong Kong tomorrow morning

There is also flat racing on the all-weather this afternoon and this evening at Wolverhampton, but this is all pretty poor stuff and pales into insignificance beside this weekend´s International Meeting at Hong Kong. Because of the time difference, the 4 Group One races are all run on Sunday morning CET. Europeans have a good record in the Vase,over 1 1/2 miles at 7.00, and this could well lie between the British challengers Youmzain (Mick Channon/ Kieren Fallon) - three times runner-up in the Arc, and Spanish Moon (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore).

The Sprint over 6 furlongs at 7.40 looks the hottest race of the four and has throughout its history been dominated by Hong Kong-trained and Australian-bred runners. This could be the case again, with Sacred Kingdom and Scenic Blast the two favourites. The European challenge is headed by Total Gallery and War Artist, first and third in the Abbaye, but history is against them; however we hope to see German-owned War Artist, who won the Goldene Peitsche 3 months ago, run into the money, as the distance and conditions are ideal. The Mile at 8.50 sees Good Ba Ba attempt to make history; he won this race in 2007 and 2008, when trained by Andreas Schütz, and if he wins this time will be the first horse to win 3 races at this meeting. However we think Happy Zero could now prove th stronger. The Cup over 2000 metres at 9.30 is the most valuable of the 4 races. Vision d´Etat, undoubtedly one of the strongest European entries of the meeting, is apparently a doubtful runner as he has a slight infection in his leg and must first be passed by the official vet. Presvis (Luca Cumani/ Kieren Fallon) has a great turn of foot and won the big race here in April, while last year´s winner Eagle Mountain does not seem to be in top form, so Collection, who is now locally-trained and seems to have improved considerably on his British form, looks the safest selection.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Topping Light - Lombardi - Mr Celerity
2. Race: Supreme Win - Cat Storm - King Of Scots
3. Race: Taverner - Prime Champion - Royal Pericles
4. Race: Youmzain - Viva Pataca - Spanish Moon
5. Race: Apache Cat - Sacred Kingdom - Total Gallery
6. Race: Danzulu - Grand Dragon - Appreciation
7. Race: Happy Zero - Egyptian Ra - Good Ba Ba
8. Race: Vision D`etat - Presvis - Eagle Mountain
9. Race: Beauty Flash - Kings Falcon - White Jade
10. Race: Algarve - Brave Spirit - Always Something