Aidan O’Brien’s Highland Reel pleasing connections ahead of Sunday’s Longines Hong Kong Vase
Aidan O'Brien's five-year-old won the race back in 2015 and was only narrowly beaten into second last year
HIGHLAND REEL bids to win the Hong Kong Vase for the second time in his career on Sunday at Sha Tin.
Aidan O'Brien's globetrotter has enjoyed considerable success Hong Kong and was only narrowly beaten in the race last year having been victorious in 2015.
O'Brien's travelling head lad Pat Keating is pleased with how he is settling in.
"He knows he's back here in Hong Kong, and he likes this place," said Keating.
"Davy (Bergin, work rider) is happy with him."
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Trainer Willie Mullins' assistant David Casey said: "He's well, he's in good form and there's no problem with how he's taken the trip."
Mullins' only concern in the step back in distance.
Speaking from Ireland, he said: "The drop back in distance is not ideal, but it is what we have to do and he had some good form over shorter distances back in his younger days."
David Simcock is set to run Lightning Spear in the Hong Kong Mile.
Speaking from home, Simcock said: "Lightning Spear travelled over great and took the journey very well. His work has been good since he arrived in Hong Kong.
"Somewhere in the middle on either side of good is perfect (ground) for him. When he is having a good day, he is a very talented horse."
Templegate's Treble
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