Manikato Stakes winner Sea Siren heads 24 Australian entries for Hong Kong International day in December.
The four Group One races will be run at Sha Tin on December 9, carrying prize money of $HK72 million ($A9 million) which puts the event among the lucrative racedays worldwide.
Australian entries for the Hong Kong Cup (2000m) are December Draw, Glass Harmonium, Happy Trails, Fat Al, Linton, Mr Chard, Shoot Out and Strike The Stars.
The latter four are also nominated for the Hong Kong Mile, along with Fawkner, Green Birdie, Happy Zero, Sincero and Wild and Proud.
Linton is also nominated for the Hong Kong Vase (2400m), joined by Glencadam Gold, Voila Ici and Winchester.
Green Birdie is also nominated for the Hong Kong Sprint, along with Sea Siren, Buffering, Fire Thunderbolt, Hallowell Bell, Nobby Snip, Sister Madly and half-brothers Spirit of Boom and Temple of Boom.
“I’d love to take her to Hong Kong, it’s the pinnacle of international racing in the world and I think she’d be very effective,” said Sea Siren’s trainer John O’Shea after the mare’s Manikato Stakes win last Friday night.
A total of 267 horses from 13 countries have been nominated for International day, of which 80 are internationally-recognised Group One winners.
French Melbourne Cup champions Americain and Dunaden could face off for the $HK15 million ($A1.87 million) Hong Kong Vase, the latter defending his title.
Cirrus des Aigles, last seen making Frankel work for his win in the Group One Champion Stakes at Ascot, is targeting the Hong Kong Cup and its prize pool of $HK22 million ($A2.75 million).
