International racing returns to Hong Kong on Sunday, 21 April, with the 2002 edition of the HK$14-million Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1). An annual fixture at Sha Tin Racecourse since 1999, the AP QE II Cup will for the first time this year be part of the World Racing Championship Series, which involves 14 races of major international stature at tracks around the globe.

"Having the AP QE II Cup as part of the series is of tremendous significance," said James E. Bassett III, chairman of the WSRC. "We start off with the Dubai World Cup (G1) at Nad Al Sheba on March 23, and we've also got the Singapore Airlines International Cup (G1) at Kranji on May 11. The AP QE II Cup, coming right between those two races, will now provide us with a powerful link we've never had before.

"The series also includes such races as the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes (G1) at Ascot in late July, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) at Longchamp in early October, the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) and Classic (G1) at Arlington Park in late October, and the Japan Cup (G1) in late November," Bassett said. "And, of course, it concludes with the Hong Kong Cup (G1) at Sha Tin on December 15."

Thus, Hong Kong will host a pair of WSRC events, which pleases Bassett endlessly. "The officials of the Hong Kong Jockey Club have gained reputations throughout the world for their masterful handling of races such as these," he said. "I anticipate a strong participation by horse interests from other countries in this year's AP QE II Cup, and, as always, in December's Hong Kong Cup programme as well."

Run at 2000 metres in a clockwise direction on the Sha Tin turf, the AP QE II Cup is for three-year-olds and upwards, and has a first prize of HK$8 million. The 1999 winner, French-based Jim And Tonic, also finished second in both the 2000 and 2001 renewals. One of the most popular horses in the history of Hong Kong racing, Jim And Tonic was also triumphant in the 1998 Hong Kong Bowl and the '99 Hong Kong Cup, and was third in the HK Cup in 2000.Trained by Francois Doumen and ridden by Gerald Mosse, Jim And Tonic set a Sha Tin course record in the '99 AP QE II Cup of 2.00.1 that continues to stand.

In 2000, the race was won by the Hong Kong-based runner, Industrialist, trained by Brian Kan and ridden by Alan Munro. Housemaster and Indigenous, both of whom were also trained in Hong Kong, finished third and fourth respectively, providing the home crowd with plenty reason to cheer.

The 2001 edition of the AP QE II cup went to Germany's representative, Silvano, who was trained by Andreas Wohler and ridden by Andreas Suborics. The top four finishers in 1999-2001 editions of the race include participants from three continents - - Europe, Asia, and Australia. Bassett believes it is time for a North American horses to add his name to the list.

"I think it's quite possible you'll see one or more United States representatives in the AP QE II mix this year," said Bassett. "Japan should factor, too. Japanese-based horses won three out of the four Hong Kong International races last December - - anyone of them who comes back and wins the 2002 AP QE II Cup will gain his owner a bonus of HK$1 million.

"An international G1 rating is what the AP QE II Cup deserves, and that's what it now has," Bassett said. "I'm profoundly excited about this race becoming part of our WSRC series. Horsemen around the world feel the same way."