HONG KONG SPRINT:SOLE POWER, the only Irish challenger at tomorrow morning's international festival in Hong Kong, will attempt to secure a perfect end-of-year Group One triumph in the big €1.3 million Sprint.
Black Caviar apart, some of the world’s best sprinters are among a 14-strong field, including the former dual-race winner Sacred Kingdom and the champion Singapore speedster Rocket Man.
Both of those horses have been drawn on the wide outside however, while Sole Power has a perfect draw in stall eight. Johnny Murtagh’s British-trained sprinter Society Rock is on the rail in two.
Trainer Eddie Lynam and big-race jockey Keagan Latham were delighted with a bit of work Sole Power put in at the Sha Tin track yesterday and are hopeful of their gelding becoming the first European-trained winner of the race.
“He’d done most of his work before he arrived so he just did a half-speed,” said Lynam. “His weight and blood are spot on and he’s in great order.”
Latham added: “He will need to produce a career best but I’m quietly confident. They don’t go fast enough for him in Ireland. He needs to be run off his feet to get him going and then he quickens again.”
The Sprint is the second of four Group One races and is due to start at 6.40am Irish time.
The Champion Stakes winner Cirrus Des Aigles is the warm favourite for the 10-furlong Hong Kong Cup, while another French star, Melbourne Cup hero Dunaden, runs in the mile-and-a-half Vase.
