The Group 1 Hong Kong Vase (2400m) at Sha Tin on December 8 is set to be a 2013 Melbourne Cup re-match; with Red Cadeaux, Simenon, Dandino, Dunaden and Voleuse De Coeurs all a chance to contest the prestigious event.
Red Cadeaux and Dunaden are two of several stayers that will be backing up from the Melbourne Cup in the Hong Kong Vase next month. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Red Cadeaux finished a brave second behind Fiorente in the 2013 Melbourne Cup (3200m) yesterday and the veteran stayer remains a chance to contest his third straight Hong Kong Vase after winning the event last year.
Trainer Ed Dunlop said that Red Cadeaux was stiff and sore following his gut-busting run in the but is expected to push on to either the Hong Kong Vase or the Group 1 Japan Cup (2413m) in Tokyo on November 24.
The Japan Cup and Hong Kong Vase are also both on the agenda for 2011 Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden, who was given some light work this morning, and Willie Mullins-trained Simenon who produced a strong staying effort to finish fourth in ‘the race that stops a nation’ at Flemington yesterday.
Mount Athos hung on bravely to finish third behind Fiorente and Red Cadeaux in the Melbourne Cup and trainer Luca Cumani has declared that the Montjeu gelding will return to the Hong Kong International Meeting for the second year in a row.
Managing co-owner Darren Dance has confirmed that Dandino will push on to the Hong Kong Vase next month and he will reportedly will be looking for a new jockey after English jockey Ryan Moore gave the Dansili entire a poor ride in yesterday’s Melbourne Cup.
Michael Moroney-trained Voleuse De Couers snuck into the prizemoney in the Melbourne Cup with her tenth place finish and, according to Moroney’s racing manager Anthony Fercoe, the Hong Kong Vase is a possible option for the Irish St Leger winner.
“She’s come through it in terrific order,” Feroce told TVN.
“She ate-up last night and again this morning and we were really pleased with the way she ran.
“James came back and said she ran well and would be stronger again next year.
“The owners are keen to go to Hong Kong, obviously they are based there and would love to have a runner.
“They will be meeting in the next few days to make a final decision, but at this stage it’s looking likely she will go.”
The Hong Kong Vase has been dominated by horses that ran in the Melbourne Cup in recent years; with Dunaden winning the 2011 edition of the race after claiming the Melbourne Cup, while Red Cadeaux backed up from his eighth place finish in the 2013 Melbourne Cup to win one of Hong Kong’s premiere races.
