Highland Reel heads home team
Aidan O'Brien's four-year-old won the Vase last year and goes to Hong Kong with a thrilling Breeders' Cup win under his belt
HIGHLAND REEL, Profitable and Big Orange are among the entries for next month's Hong Kong International meeting at Sha Tin.
Aidan O'Brien's King George and Breeders' Cup Turf winner Highland Reel claimed the Hong Kong Vase over a mile and a half last year and he is entered to defend his title on December 11.
He could be joined in the race by Michael Bell's Big Orange, fresh from his adventures in Australia where he finished 10th in the Melbourne Cup but was only just touched off in the Zipping Classic.
Erupt and Silverwave give Europe a strong hand in the race.
A Shin Hikari could bid for successive wins in the Hong Kong Cup.
After a startling win in the Prix d'Ispahan, he ran below par at Royal Ascot and then put up no kind of show in the Tenno Sho on his only subsequent start.
Japan's horse of the year Maurice, Blazing Speed, Designs On Rome and Andre Fabre's Elliptique are other contenders.
Clive Cox's Royal Ascot winner Profitable could be joined by Richard Fahey's Growl in the Sprint with former Fahey inmate Peniaphobia, winner of the race last year, also among the entries along with Signs Of Blessing.