This years renewal of the Hong Kong International Vase promises to be a cracker with the Melbourne Cup quinella Dunaden and Red Cadeaux going head to head again. Dunaden is the current early favourite at $5.50 with online bookmaker Sportsbet.
TRAILBLAZER (JPN)
Japanese 4yo who ran well behind Buena Vista for 4th in the Japan Cup last Sunday. Yet to win a Group 1 and would need to find a few lengths but he looks as if he is still improving and can run well enough to find the frame.
Current Odds: $10.00
JAKKALBERRY (GB)
Ex Italian stayer who won the G1 GP di Milano back in June last year and ran 4th in that same race this year. Now trainer by Marco Botti and can race handy. 5th in the vase last year.
Current Odds: $15.00
SILVER POND (FR)
His second to Cirrus des Aigles at Group 2 level in August reads well for this and did run on from worse than midfield in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Blowout hope.
Current Odds: $9.00
CAMPANOLOGIST (UAE)
6yo son of Kingmambo (USA) for Godolphin who has won his past two at the highest level in Germany and Italy. Seasoned galloper who has Frankie Dettori sure to give him a gun ride.
Current Odds: $8.00
DUNADEN (FR)
Melbourne Cup winner who defeated Red Cadeuax over 3200m at Flemington in November. Glowing reports of his trackwork this week should give the camp strong confidence going into this race. If he holds his form he should go mighty close.
Current Odds: $5.50
MIGHTY HIGH (HK)
Local galloper who has been highly disappointing this campaign including a 17th in the Caulfield Cup after setting the early tempo and then an average 9th in the G2 Jockey Club Cup. Nowhere near his best but if he finds it he can fill a place.
Current Odds: $15.00
MR MEDICI (HK)
Hasn’t won for a while but was spotted making good ground last start when beaten 5 lengths by Thumbs Up. Is easily the best roughie in the race but did finish 12th in this race last year when a 40-1 chance. Likely to be around the same quote again.
Current Odds: $21.00
REDWOOD (GB)
Runner up to Mastery in this race last year and arguably isn’t going as well this time around. Poor effort at his most recent start in the G1 Canadian International Stakes when defeated by Sarah Lynx beaten by 12L. Have to pass on his current form.
Current Odds: $15.00
THUMBS UP (HK)
Caspar Fownes has this 7yo gelding flying this time in coming off the back of a dominant win in the G2 Jockey Club Cup where he defeated Pure Champion by a neck. He ran on powerfully from worse than midfield that day and can finish all over the top of them again although did fail at his only other 2400m run. Is going better this time and not worth risking.
Current Odds: $8.00
RED CADEAUX (GB)
Runner up to Dunaden in the closest finish ever to the Melbourne Cup and has a nice turn of foot on him. Doesn’t want the track too firm and with any give in the ground he’s sure to make his prescence felt.
Current Odds: $11.00
SUPER SATIN (HK)
Seems to have lost all form since winning the G1 HK Derby last year and hasn’t won since. Beaten 4L behind Thumbs Up last start but would prefer to watch him here.
Current Odds: $41.00
SARAH LYNX (FR)
Group 1 winning French filly who won the G1 Canadian International defeating Joshua Tree but then struggled to back it up with a fading 12th in the Japan Cup. Hard to get enthused off the back of a bad one but still reluctanct to completely write her off.
Current Odds: $8.00
VADAMAR (FR)
French colt who finished midfield in the Epsom Derby behind Pour Moi. Winner of a Group 2 event at Longchamp when 10/9 favourite back in October and in an astute stable who has an imposing record in Hong Kong. Looks well placed.
Current Odds: $7.00
