Dunaden has drawn barrier three for the 2011 Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin this Sunday

The in-form French raider, coming off the closest Melbourne Cup win in the race’s 151-year history having held off Red Cadeaux by less than a nostril flare back on November 1, will take on a crack field of stayers in the HK$14 million Group 1 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase (2400m) looking to post back-to-back elite levels.

“Maybe he would be better drawn a little bit wider,” Delzangles admitted.

“But if there isn’t much pace, he will be able to take a good spot.”

A field of 13 has been accepted, Dunaden now rated the $5.50 favourite in Hong Kong Vase odds at Australian bookmakers despite concerns about them coming back from the testing two-miles (3200m) of the Melbourne Cup to 2400 metres for the Vase.

It is a distance, however, that the Nicobar six-year-old has won over before most recently in their Australian debut when taking out the Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m) in October.

They also took out successive races over 2413 metres in France last year, and posted numerous second place finishes over the distance throughout their career.

“He’s freshened up nicely since Melbourne, I think his work has been very encouraging,” Delzangles said.

“I think he’s just as well and happy as he was in Melbourne, so I am very hopeful.”

Having emulated fellow French-trained champion Americain in Australia, the horse that won the 2010 Geelong Cup – Melbourne Cup double, Delzangles is praying they don’t follow the next form line set up by the galloper.

After scoring last year’s Melbourne Cup Americain travelled to Hong Kong for the International Vase but could only finish three lengths away third to Mastery, still a brave effort after such a testing campaign.

“Every race is different, every horse is different,” Delzangles said.

“I think we are here with a very good chance and I’m sure the horse will run well.”

Adding more interest for Aussie punters, Dunaden will re-partner with ace Aussie hoop Craig Williams for the Vase.

Three other Hong Kong Vase hopefuls are at single figures in the latest markets with the Casper Fownes-trained local champ Thumps Up ($7) looking to complete the Jockey Club Cup – Hong Kong Vase double, Canadian International winning French-trained mare Sarah Lynx ($7) and Alain de Royer Dupre’s impressive young colt Vadamar ($8) last seen winning a Group 2 race over 2413 metres in France in mid-October.

Meanwhile Melbourne Cup runner-up Red Cadeaux will get their chance to turn the tables on Dunaden when they line-up in barrier seven in the Hong Kong Vase on Sunday.

Rated a $10 chance in the Vase markets, Ed Dunlop’s Irish St Leger third placegetter may not be attracting the same fanfare as their Melbourne Cup conqueror, but connections are confident they can challenge again.

“He’s come here in very good order and with the form to say he’ll run very well,” Dunlop said.

“If Dunaden is a chance as people seem to think, then our horse has to be in with a good show also.”

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2011 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase Field & Barriers

Sha Tin Race 4 – 2:00pm (local time) – 11/12/2011

Jimmy Choux is out to join Sunline (2000) as a New Zealand-trained Hong Kong Mile winner

Thorn Park four-year-old Jimmy Choux is the sole Australasian representative at this year’s prestigious Hong Kong International Races, and is one of a capacity 14 starters plus an emergency accepted for the HK$20 million Group 1 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile (1600m).

In an early bit of good fortune the Cox Plate runner-up came up trumps with gate two in the Hong Kong Mile barrier draw, New Zealand hoop Jonathan Riddell making the trip over to partner with two-time millionaire.

Riddell and Bary were both beaming on Thursday morning after Jimmy Choux had his first serious piece of work on the turf course proper at Sha Tin galloping over 1200 metres in 1:15.2, his final 400 metres run in 23.8.

“I’ve been looking forward to this for quite a while and even more so after he worked well this morning,” Riddell said.

“It’s great to be here and fantastic to ride in a major international race on the flat.”

The ace hoop who has riding experience in countries including Japan, America and the UK went on to say it was a brave move from Bary to target Hong Kong with Jimmy Choux right from the start of his preparation, but that it has worked out tremendously.

“It’s been in the planning for quite a while, in fact right from the start of his campaign which I thought might have been jumping the gun a bit but here we are,” he said.

Riddell was fully confident in his mount’s ability to adapt to the international racing scene and perform up to par on Sunday, meaning he could relax and do what he needed behind the reigns without worrying if Jimmy Choux would respond.

“He takes the pressure off because you know he’ll give his best, you know he’ll respond when you ask him and you can ride him anywhere in a race,” he said.

“Touch wood, I think he’ll run very well on Sunday.”

Bary likes what he sees in Jimmy Choux’s condition, saying they looked in even better form than leading up to their gallant Cox Plate run in October.

“The horse is well within himself,” Bary said.

“He may even be a little better than he was leading into the Cox Plate.

“His coat’s fantastic with a copper sheen and while he’s been up since June, we’ve spaced his races.

“When he’s on song he’s got a devastating turn of foot and the mile suits him.

“Getting beaten in the Cox Plate really stung and that has made me even more determined.

“I want him to win for us, but I also want to win for the New Zealand bloodstock industry and the Australasian racing scene.

“So we are flying a lot of flags here on Sunday.”

If successful Jimmy Choux will join the mighty Sunline (2000) as the only other New Zealand-trained Hong Kong Mile winner in history.

Bary himself has been consulting Sunline’s trainer Trevor McKee and getting guidance ahead of his Hong Kong assault, admitting he also considered the Hong Kong Cup over 2000 metres for Jimmy Choux before deciding on the Mile.

“We could have looked at the Cup at 2000 metres but settled on the mile,” he said.

“I spoke to Trevor McKee and he said to go to the mile first as it’s less taxing and it’s more like an 1800 metres race in any case.

“After what Sunline did for the McKees I Thought that was worth paying attention to.”

If anyone knows how to get a Kiwi to perform in Hong Kong it’s McKee who learned from his mistakes, Sunline having run seventh in the 1999 Hong Kong Cup before returning 12 months later to snare the Mile in fine style.

Jimmy Choux is rated the second elect in the Hong Kong Mile odds at bookmakers around Australia paying around $6.50 in markets led by the John Moore-trained local Xtension ($6).

Xtension comes off a narrow last-start fifth to Destined For Glory in the Group 2 Jockey Club Mile at the track and distance, the Xaar four-year-old beaten only half a length.

A Sha Tin specialist over the mile, Moore is hoping Xtension can return to the form that saw them snare a narrow win in the Group 1 Champions Mile (1600m) at the track back in April, before which they ran second to Ambitious Dragon in the Hong Kong Derby.

Other top picks in the Hong Kong Mile betting include French mare Sahpresa ($8.50) who ran an eye-catching third in the Kyoto Mile Championship in Japan last start, fellow French-trained visitor Cityscape ($9) and defending Hong Kong Mile winner Beauty Flash ($9.50) looking to improve on their sixth in the Jockey Club Mile.

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2011 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile Field & Barriers

Sha Tin Race 7 – 3:50 (local time) – 11/12/2011

Craig Williamsis preparing to ride Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden in the 2011 Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin on Sunday

Williams missed the winning Melbourne Cup ride, and the chance to become the first jockey to secure the spring carnival triple grand slam in a single season, due to suspension but will get their chance to atone having been booked to ride the Mikel Delzangles-trained six-year-old in the HK$14 million Group 1 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase (2400m) this weekend.

The masterful jockey was full of praise for Dunaden after putting them through their paces on the turf at Sha Tin on Tuesday, Williams confident the son of Nicobar can win their Hong Kong debut which would be the duo’s second triumph following the Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m) back in Victoria on October 19.

“I’m really happy with the way he travelled over from Melbourne,” Williams said.

“He’s actually fresher than he was in Melbourne.

“Looking at him, he’s put on weight and just the feel he gave me in trackwork tells me he’s right to go on Sunday.

“Ne nearly unseated me in his warm-up lap, he’s just so fresh and just so well within himself.”

Dunaden is one of three Hong Kong Vase entries currently sharing $7 favouritisim in the markets along with French mare Sarah Lynx who won the Canadian International back in October and Caspar Fowne’s local hero Thumbs Up coming via a victory in the Group 2 Jockey Club Cup (2000m) but seeing the 2400 metres for the first time in the Vase.

Other to fancies include the Alain de Royer Dupre-trained colt Vadamar and this year’s devastatingly close Melbourne Cup runner-up Red Cadeaux from the English stables of Ed Dunlop.

Just trailing Red Cadeaux, the horse with a point to prove after the Melbourne Cup, in the Hong Kong Vase odds is the Saeed Bin Suroor-trained Campanologist who is looking to hand the infamous Godolphin racing operation back-to-back wins in the Vase following the victory of Mastery 12 months ago.

Winner of numerous elite levels around Europe, Kingmambo stallion Campanologist has been declared by Bin Suroor as being in near career best form ahead of Sunday’s Vase.

“Campanologist is a stronger horse than before and this is his time of year,” he said.

“He is very healthy and sound and this is his best trip.

“You need a very good horse to win this race.

“Last year Mastery showed that he had the class to win it for us last year and this one is very good also.”

The official 2011 Hong Kong Vase field and barriers are due for release tomorrow.

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Cox Plate winner Pinker Pinker could clash with Black Caviar in the 2012 Futurity Stakes during the autumn

A winner of six of their 16 starts to date, Reset four-year-old Pinker Pinker hit the big time when she backed up from an Epsom Handicap second to Secret Admirer in Sydney to claim an eye-catching victory in the $3 million Cox Plate over 2040m at Moonee Valley on October 22.

It capped off a sensational spring campaign for the Greg Eurell-trained Pinker Pinker who returned to her trainer’s Cranbourne base a week ago.

“She is lightly raced and just maturity and time really helped her take that next step in the spring,” Eurell said.

While new season plans for Pinker Pinker include a Sydney Autumn Carnival assault where, depending on the weight situation, she could run in the $2 million Group 1 Doncaster Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on April 21, an earlier preparation in Melbourne has now also been named.

“We will probably throw a nomination for the Doncaster to see what weight she gets but really we have got to target the weight-for-age race,” Eurell said.

Eurell, who is over the moon with the way Pinker Pinker has come back to work after a five week break, said the $500,000 Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 25 fitted well into her campaign as a first-up option and he would not shy away from a clash with the 16-unbeaten Black Caviar.

“She has had a terrific let up and done super,” Eurell said.

“She looks great.

“We are not going to punish her but we certainly hope to get four runs out of her, if not five in the autumn.

“I’ll probably kick her off in the Futurity and she’ll go on to Sydney for the autumn.”

Black Caviar, who is also back in light work with her master trainer Peter Moody in Victoria, has the 2012 Futurity Stakes on the agenda as part of an autumn plan to step the superstar sprinter up in distance.

Eurell mentioned the $350,000 Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Warwick Farm on March 10 as a likely second-up option for Pinker Pinker.

He also hadn’t ruled out an international campaign in Hong Kong for the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin in April.

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Jimmy Choux flies to Hong Kong on Tuesday afternoon for the 2011 Hong Kong Mile next month

After Group 1 The Galaxy winner Atomic Force missed out on an invitation to the prestigious meeting, John Bary’s five-time elite level hero Jimmy Choux is now the only Australasian-trained horse racing in one of this year’s four Hong Kong International Races.

One of the world’s richest and most recognised days of thoroughbred racing, the Hong Kong International Raceday offers over HK$68 million (AUS$8.8 million) in prize money with four Group 1 features on the card.

Jimmy Choux, last seen in Melbourne during the spring carnival running second to Pinker Pinker in the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley and fourth to Albert The Fat in the Group 1 Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on November 5, is preparing for an assault on the HK$20million Hong Kong Mile (1600m).

It will be the first trip outside of Australia and New Zealand for Bary’s Thorn Park four-year-old, Jimmy Choux having raced 23 times to date for 12 wins and close to $2.8 million in prize money.

All reports from Bary are that Jimmy Choux has come through his spring campaign in fine order and will head to Hong Kong at the top of his game.

“He leaves this afternoon,” Bary said.

“I don’t know why he couldn’t get on that flight with those other two English horses (Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden and runner-up Red Cadeaux) but anyway he goes up this afternoon,” Bary said.

“I moved him into a lovely rural setting and he’s been doing fantastically well.

“He has a paddock in the afternoon which is just a huge factor for the Kiwi horses.

“He had a nice gallop last Tuesday.

“He’s just thrived, put a bit of weight on and he looks fantastic.”

In other Hong Kong International Races news, Ed Dunlop’s class mare Snow Fairy has been ruled out of the HK$14 million Hong Kong Vase (2400m) due to injury.

Having run four Group 1 placings since July, including her brave second to Aussie expat So You Think in the Champion Stakes at Leopardstown and her third to Danedream in the Arc de Triomphe in France, connections were keen for Snow Fairy to return to Sha Tin after her gritty win in the Group 1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m) at last year’s Hong Kong International Race Day.

Snow Fairy injured herself during a routine trackwork at Sha Tin and will return home to England as soon as she is fit to fly.

Dunlop will still be represented in the Hong Kong Vase 2011 field by this year’s Melbourne Cup runner-up Red Cadeaux.

The 2011 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Race Day fields are due for release next Thursday, December 8, and will be published right here at Races.com.au.

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Atomic Force has missed out on an invite to the 2011 Hong Kong International Races this December

Owned by the Dean Watt-managed Dynamic Syndications, Danehill Dancer six-year-old Atomic Force failed to gain an invite to race in the HK$14 million Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), one of four elite level features taking place for the Hong Kong International Race Day on December 11.

Despite having worked hard to meet all the criteria set by the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) and fully qualify for the race, Atomic Force was snubbed from the Sha Tin showdown in a move that has connections scratching their heads.

“To miss out at the 11^th hour on an invitation under these circumstances is disappointing,” a statement on the Dynamic Syndications website said.

“We have always been aware and understood that the process of selection is with the HKJC committee regarding whom they invite and whom they leave out.

“But to be without a qualified runner from the southern hemisphere, especially when the Australian sprinters are world class and the results of previous international sprints statistically speak for themselves, is at best puzzling.”

Australia will now be without representation at the Hong Kong International Races 2011, one of the world’s most prominent race days offering in excess of HK$68 million (AUS$2.6 million) in total prize money.

Plan B is now for Atomic Force to travel across the Tasman to New Zealand to compete in the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day.

The sprinter will have their final start in Australia for the year at Canterbury this Saturday in Race 3 – the $70,000 Hylands Kids Colours For Christmas Handicap (1100m) carrying the 62kg topweight of the eight-horse field.

Boom New Zealand galloper Jimmy Choux is now the only Australasian horse set for the Hong Kong International meeting, the recent Cox Plate runner-up and five-time Group 1 hero to run in the HK$20 million Group 1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m).

In other Hong Kong International Raceday news, this year’s devastatingly close Melbourne Cup second placegetter Red Cadeaux is set to face off against their star stablemate, the fellow Ed Dunlop-trained Snow Fairy, in the 2011 Hong Kong Vase at the December meeting.

The Hong Kong fields for the International Race Day 2011 are due for release on Thursday December 8.

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Atomic Force is the sole Australian-trained horse still in contention for the 2011 Hong Kong International Races next month

Recognised globally as one of the richest and most prestigious race meetings of the year, the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Raceday is headlined by four Group 1 showdowns, the entire program offering an epic HK$68 million (AUS$8.8 million) in total prize money.

One of the most important races on the card is the 2011 Hong Kong Mile, which is now the richest turf mile race in the world as stakes for the feature were boosted to HK$20 million (AUS$2.6 million) for this year’s edition.

2011 Hong Kong International Group 1 Races

• HK$20 million Hong Kong Cup (2000m)
• HK$20 million Hong Kong Mile (1600m)
• HK$14 million Hong Kong Vase (2400m)
• HK$14 million Hong Kong Sprint (1200m)

Attracting the best sprinters, stayers and middle-distance gallopers from across the globe, the Hong Kong International races are by invitation only for overseas thoroughbreds.

In fact, there are a larger number of international raiders than locals in the Hong Kong International races with horses from countries including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Singapore, USA, Singapore and Japan entered every year.

The original Hong Kong International Race nominations were taken in October, a total of 31 Australian-trained horses entered, 12 of which were Group 1 winners at the time.

The sole Aussie galloper now awaiting confirmation of a start in one of the events is Atomic Force, a possible runner in the 2011 Hong Kong Sprint and one of an expected seven internationals receiving an invite to the Hong Kong International Races this year.

Winner of the Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) at Randwick back in April, Darren Smith’s Danehill Dancer six-year-old had a spring season of mixed results and was last seen finishing fourth to Ahdashim in the Turner Freeman Handicap (1100m) at Rosehill on October 29.

The selections for the 2011 Hong Kong International races will be announced at 6:00pm (HK time) on today, to be published by Races.com.au on Thursday November 24.

If Atomic Force misses out on selection for the Hong Kong Sprint 2011, connections will prepare for a trip to New Zealand for the Group 1 Railway Stakes at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day.

“The horse has met all the criteria and we deliberately came home early from Melbourne to get him ready for Hong Kong,” Dynamic Syndications owner Dean Watt said.

“If the Hong Kong trip doesn’t go ahead we’ll take him to New Zealand for the Railway Stakes.

“At set weights with penalties it is an ideal race for him.

“It’s not too much to keep him in work for New Zealand because the Railway is only two weeks after the Hong Kong race.”

The 2011 Hong Kong Sprint is also the final leg of the Global Sprint Challenge series.

The other major name Aussie race fans will be following at next month’s Sha Tin meeting is New Zealand galloper and regular visitor down under Jimmy Choux.

A five-time Group 1 winner, Jimmy Choux was most recently campaigning in Melbourne for the spring carnival having run second in the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) and a close fourth last start in the Group 1 Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on November 5.

The John Bary-trained Thorn Park four-year-old is set to represent the Kiwis in the 2011 Hong Kong Mile.

The final fields and barriers for the four elite levels at the meeting are then due out on Thursday December 8.

Races.com.au will publish the full Hong Kong International Race fields for next month’s meeting, so make sure you bookmark this site.

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Dunaden and Red Cadeaux will face off again in the 2011 Hong Kong Vase this December

One of four elite level races making up the prestigious Hong Kong International Raceday at Sha Tin Racecourse on December 11, the $HK 14 million Group 1 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase (2400m) is shaping up as a scintillating rematch between Mikel Delzangles’ French-trained raider Dunaden and the Ed Dunlop-trained British galloper Red Cadeaux.

After an agonising five minute wait to determine the 2011 Melbourne Cup result on Tuesday November 1, five-year-old Cadeaux Generux gelding Red Cadeaux was found have been defeated by the narrowest of margins, and Dunlop is hoping they can turn the tables on their conqueror in the Vase.

“He’s going to Hong Kong next for the Vase. That’s exciting,” Dunlop confirmed.

“He’s could out of the race (the Melbourne Cup) really well.

“We’re proud of him, but it was a frustrating one.

“It was a great experience and we’ll be going again for the Melbourne Cup if we have the right horse, maybe Red Cadeaux, and hopefully we can go one better.”

Last year’s Melbourne Cup winner Americain, who finished a brave fourth when defending their title this year, could also be a starter in the Hong Kong Vase 2011.

Plans on whether to continue onto Hong Kong with Americain will be decided after the champ runs in the $350,000 Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) at Sandown Racecourse this Saturday.

Alain De Royer Dupre’s Dynaformer stallion Americain contested last year’s Hong Kong Vase finishing three lengths away third to Mastery one race after their sensational Melbourne Cup triumph.

Duanden was not originally on the Hong Kong Vase path with the stayer scheduled to travel home to France from Melbourne on Thursday evening.

Having come through the Melbourne Cup in fine form, however, connections have decided to race in the Vase on the way back to France.

It is good news for Aussie hoop Craig Williams who missed the historic ride on Dunaden in the Cup due to suspension, but who may get the chance to atone for that in the Hong Kong Vase.

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2010 Melbourne Cup winner Americain will be the drawcard Zipping Classic contender in 2011

After the four elite Melbourne Cup Carnival racedays conclude with Emirates Stakes Day this Saturday, the last of the spring features will play out at Sandown Racecourse, the most notable of which is the $350,000 Zipping Classic (2400m).

Set to run at Sandown on Saturday November 12, the race was formerly known as the Sandown Classic was renamed for the 2011 running in honour of four-time winner, the now-retired Zipping.

The Sandown Classic, although a far cry from the iconic Melbourne Cup, is always a nice end-of-season staying race for horses that either missed out on a Cup bid or are winding down having run in the ‘race that stops a nation’, as is the case with the Alain de Royer Dupre-trained Americain.

“This is Alain’s suggestion that he run at Sandown and we are very happy with it,” Part-owner Colleen Bamford said.

For his unprecedented fourth straight Sandown Classic success 12 months ago the ever popular Zipping came off a fourth to Americain in the Melbourne Cup.

This year it is a case of Americain coming off a Melbourne Cup fourth to attempt a Sandown Classic victory, a notable form line that punters will find interesting.

On Wednesday Americain’s Australian-based owners also confirmed that the hulking champ would be racing on in Australia for both the Sydney and Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnivals.

In between the Zipping Classic and the autumn Americain will also be sent off to Hong Kong to contest the Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin in December where he will face off against this year’s devastatingly close Melbourne Cup runner-up Red Cadeaux.

The 2012 Zipping Classic is one of nine races, eight of which hold Listed or Group status, running at Betfair Park Sandown Hillside Saturday week.

The other major highlight of the day will be the $350,000 Group 2 Sandown Guineas (1600m) that was won by the Chris Waller-trained Pressday last year.

Nominations for the day’s races close on Monday November 7 with the Zipping Classic field of acceptances to be released on Wednesday the 9^th.

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The Hong Kong trained galloper a $19 chance with Luxbet has won three of four races at Shatin in Hong Kong and comes to Australia for its first start.

Trained by the astute David Ferraris, the son of General Nediym and Windfall is rolling he die in the biggest race of his life .

2011 Coolmore Stud Stakes– horse profile

#6 Bear Hero (barrier 2) 56.5kg

• Three year old bay colt
• Record: 4 starts 3 wins 1 second 0 third
• Winning distance range 1000m
• Best win: 2011 Class 3 1000m at Shatin, Hong Kong
• Trainer: D Ferraris, Hong Kong
• Jockey, Brett Prebble.
• Latest price Luxbet $15.

McEvoy who is riding hot favourite Sepoy who is $1.28 Luxbet says the that his galloper would appear to have the Australian horses covered.

So what does Bear Hero bring to the table?

His sire General Nediym won the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington over1200m and has been a good influence of very quick sprinters.

The Hong Kong horse looks to have followed down that path running 55.5 seconds on one occasion over 1000m.

While he can run time, Bear Hero serttle off the pace and finishes on.

He has started favourite at all his starts in Hong Kong but there might be a flaw.

Many of the brilliant General Nediym’s have gone exceptionally well at 1000m even 1100m but things start to slow at 1200m.

Bear Hero’s defeat was at his first start at 1200m at his latest run.

He is yet to have raced on wet ground which would be another query with the clouds around Melbourne on Friday and expected on Saturday.

Add in all the travel, this horse would want to be an absolute star to defeat Sepoy, one of the best youngsters in Australia for years.

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