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Arthur Cooper takes a look at the Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin…

International horses have dominated the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m) since gaining Group One (G1) status in 2000 and they once again look to hold a strong hand.

Last year the French-owned and Andre Fabre-trained Junko arrived having won the G1 Grand Prix von Bayern (2400m) at Munich in November and this year the master trainer has again elected to follow a similar training path, with the Godolphin-owned four-year-old Marquisat. However, the gelding could only manage to finish fifth and Sunday's race will be Marquisat's biggest challenge yet. A step up in performance will be required.

The Australian-trained, 2023 Caulfield Cup (2400m) and Melbourne Cup (3200m) winner Without A Fight will top the market. Having missed most of the Melbourne Spring Carnival this year through injury, he resumed in the G1 Championship Stakes (2000m) at Flemington one month ago finishing third after coming from well off the pace.

Connections throughout the week have been confident of his chances on Sunday.

Joint-trainer Sam Freedman said: "He's certainly tightened up and improved as you would expect. He had a nice trial at home before he got on the flight. He's a well-travelled horse and he's handled the trip very well."

Irish powerhouse Coolmore is represented by two runners, the multiple G1-winning Luxembourg and 2023 UK St Leger victor Continuous. Ballydoyle trainer Aiden O'Brien has prepared the winner of this race three times, twice with Highland Reel (2015 & 2017) and again in 2020 with Mogul. Both contenders this year are racing slightly below their best-known form. Following this race Luxembourg is set for retirement and a stud career beckons.

Beaten a short-head by Romantic Warrior in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) twelve months ago, Luxembourg will appreciate the switch of race this year with an additional 400m.

"We thought he ran a great race last year," explained O'Brien. "He's a very high-class horse. Last year he was coming home very well, and he was just beaten on the line, it looked as if we'd had run him over a mile and a half it would have suited him.

"He ran a very good race in the Breeders' Cup Turf (sixth), much better than you'd think. He's off to stud after this. He's been a great horse, big strong and consistent. Obviously, he wasn't always first string but we're looking forward to it, see what happens."

As well as Marquisant, France will also be represented by Iresine, who has a strong record over 2400m, winning eight times from twelve attempts. A duel G1 winner (over 2100m & 3100m) and G2 victor at Longchamp over this trip, he will be ridden by Marie Velon, who has been a constant player of the Iresine story. She will become only the third woman this century to ride in a Hong Kong Group 1, following Rosie Myers (sixth on Benzini in the 2016 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase) and Jamie Kah (ninth on Packing Treadmill in the 2024 Centenary Sprint Cup).

Trainer Jean-Paul Gauvin has been upbeat this week on his chances: "I think that the 2400m of the Hong Kong Vase is ideal for him. I had already thought about coming here last year and, although we finally opted for Japan, this Japanese experience really helped me prepare the horse for this trip.