Highland Reel is tasked with giving Ireland’s champion trainer Aidan O’Brien his first victory at the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races in the HK$16.5 million LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m) at Sha Tin on 13 December.
The three-year-old colt proved himself on the international stage when making all to win the G1 Secretariat Stakes (2000m) by five and a quarter lengths at Arlington Park, USA, on 15 August.
He was fifth to Golden Horn on his next outing in the G1 Irish Champion Stakes (2000m) at Leopardstown, Ireland, in September and was last seen when third to Winx in the G1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley, Australia, on 24 October.
Highland Reel had three starts in European Classics earlier in the year, with his best effort coming when runner-up to New Bay in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club (2100m) at Chantilly, France, on 31 May.
The son of Galileo proved his stamina over 2400m in the G3 Gordon Stakes at Goodwood, UK, in July, defeating Scottish comfortably by a length and a half in his only start outside G1 company this year.
O’Brien said: “Highland Reel was a little unlucky not to be second in the Cox Plate but we were very happy with his run and he’s been in good form since.
“To be honest, I think he is equally effective over a mile and a quarter and a mile and a half.
“He is a very uncomplicated and tactically versatile horse, which makes the jockey’s life a lot easier. I think both the likely ground and the track at Sha Tin should suit him well.
“From day one, we have always thought a huge amount of him and nothing has happened in the meantime to alter that view.”
The LONGINES Hong Kong Vase is one of four G1 contests at the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin racecourse on Sunday, 13 December. The afternoon also features the HK$25 million LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m), the HK$23 million LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) and the HK$18.5 million LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m).
