The colours of Khalid Abdullah's Juddmonte Farm were carried to victory by Flintshire (GB) (Dansili {GB}) in the G1 Hong Kong Vase in 2014, and four years later Mirage Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}) will attempt to cap off a big year for that owner/breeder in the same race next Sunday.
In addition to the exploits of the dual Arc winner and GI Breeders' Cup Turf winner Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), team Juddmonte visited the winner's circle at the Breeders' Cup with the GI Mile winner Expert Eye (GB) (Acclamation {GB}), and further Group 1 glory for the season now rests on the shoulders of the 4-year-old Mirage Dancer. The son of the impeccably bred Grade I winner Heat Haze (GB) (Green Desert) is shaping like a typical Sir Michael Stoute improver, and he has won twice over the Vase's 2400 metre trip this year: the Listed Tapster S. in May and the G3 Glorious S. at Glorious Goodwood in August. He was beaten a short head by Young Rascal (Fr) (Intello {Ger}) in the G3 Legacy Cup S. over a furlong shorter on Sept. 22.
“This will be Mirage Dancer's first start in a Group 1 race, but his form stands up well enough and we are looking forward to the challenge of running him in Hong Kong,” Judmonte racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe said. “The horse is progressive, he is well, and we have been pleased with his recent gallops. It is true to say we have had the Longines Hong Kong International Races in mind since the summer.
“He is a fresh horse, having not run for a while. We thought about running him in the Canadian International, but aimed him for Champions Day at Ascot instead, and then the ground went against him. He should get fast ground in Hong Kong, which is what he wants.”
Grimthorpe said it is hoped Ryan Moore will be available to ride the horse, but his trainer won't be able to make the trip.
“Unfortunately, his trainer, Sir Michael, will not be in Hong Kong as he cannot travel having recently undergone knee surgery. Happily the horse is moving better than he is,” Grimthorpe said.
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