From being a relative backwater in international racing, Hong Kong has moved to the frontlines over the years. Nothing has proved more beneficial in the Special Administrative Region of China's gaining this recognition than the superb mid-December weekend meeting held each year during which four international races are contested. Collectively, these races rank right up there alongside carnivals such as the Arc weekend (October), Royal Ascot (June), the Breeders' Cup (November) and the Dubai World Cup (March). This year's renewal is fixed for Sunday, December 11th.

Seeing the tremendous progress being made in India's vicinity – in Dubai, Hong Kong and Singapore – it is galling to note that no Indian horses will figure this year at Sha Tin. For this, India has only itself to blame. By consistently failing to modernize its racing programme and facilities, the country's turf has hardly any zestful runners left after the classic season. It is instructive to note that 5 of the past 10 Indian Derby winners never won another race! Strictly speaking, of this exalted group only Southern Regent and Diabolical proved able to withstand the rigours of performing on unforgiving Indian race tracks, and thus still had something left to offer as older horses.

Added to this problem of destruction in the ranks is also the fact that India has not yet done enough to eliminate quarantine restrictions, a move that would greatly facilitate international competition and help to raise the profile of the Indian-bred. Work is on but the pace of reform is glacial.

On to the racing! The four Gr.1 races are sponsored, as they have been since 2004, by Cathay Pacific Airlines and between the sponsors and the richly-endowed race club, the colossal sum of HK$68 million (equivalent to US$8.75 million or Indian Rupees 45 crores) is on offer for participants. In addition, the HKJC provides top-class hospitality to the visiting connections and picks up the travelling costs for the international participants.

The four races, all on turf, are:

• The Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup (2000m, total prize money HK$20,000,000)

• The Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile (1600m, total prize money HK$20,000,000)

• The Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase (2400m, total prize money HK$14,000,000)

• The Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint (1200m, total prize money HK$14,000,000)

As may be expected, the home team has an edge in terms of adaptation to the conditions, while the visitors are more talented as a group but face the rigours of travel, humidity and an unfamiliar environment. Over the years, Hong Kong-trained runners have accounted for 23 victories in the four races, the same number as Great Britain and France combined. Where the local heroes have not done quite so well is in the Vase, which has been dominated by Europeans. Overall, Australian and Japanese-trained runners have performed well enough and even Singapore and South Africa have had the occasion to hoist their flags in celebration.

At about 11:30 a.m. IST, the Vase is the first to get under way, with 13 declared to run. The interesting question here is whether Dunaden (by Nicobar), recent winner of the Gr.1 3200 m. Melbourne Cup, can cut back successfully to 2400 m. against this company. He is reunited with rider Craig Williams, who won the Gr.3 Centrebet Geelong Cup astride the French-bred over the current trip in October, even as Christophe Lemaire – who steered Dunaden so brilliantly in Melbourne – has been claimed to ride the progressive Vadamar (by Dalakhani) for H.H. the Aga Khan.

Unlucky in Melbourne, Red Cadeaux (by Cadeaux Genereux) bids to make amends and has Ryan Moore up, which should help his cause. Also attempting to atone for a last-outing failure (in the Japan Cup on November 27th) is the French-trained miss, Sarah Lynx (by Montjeu). A closer analysis reveals she did not run such a bad race when twelfth in Tokyo, as in a crowded field she was beaten just over 6 lengths. Earlier she had won the Pattison Canadian International over in Toronto in October, where she trounced Redwood (by High Chaparral) who has not been seen since, but is working well.

The last-named, another Juddmonte-bred, was runner-up in Hong Kong last year to Mastery, whose connections, Godolphin, are represented by Campanologist (by Kingmambo) who will have the inestimable advantage of Frankie Dettori in the saddle. The mercurial Italian is fresh off his third victory in the Cathay Pacific International Jockeys' Championship at Happy Valley on Wednesday. Finally, also deserving of a mention based on their ratings are Japan's Trailblazer (by Zenno Rob Roy), France's Silver Pond (by Act One) and local hope Thumbs Up (by Shinko King).

Forty minutes later, it is the turn of the speedy brigade to come under the spotlight in the Sprint. While Juddmonte's Bated Breath (by Dansili) brings excellent credentials from England, where his best rating was 122, he will find it hard to tackle the Australian-bred speedsters who have annexed every one of the race's 12 runnings so far. Most formidable amongst this lot is the Singapore-trained Rocket Man (by Viscount) whose illustrious record of 18 wins and 4 seconds from 23 starts is hard to beat.

His old nemesis, Sacred Kingdom (by Encosta De Lago), whose statistics are almost as impressive (17 wins and 9 placings from 32 starts), is also in the field but is getting a bit long in the tooth and may not be quite the same force as he once was. Unfortunately the above-named trio have all been drawn wide, in stalls 12, 13 and 14 respectively, which might scupper their chances. The young Japanese filly Curren Chan (by Kurofune) is in rousing form and can add spice to the finish, but is not much better off in stall 11. Entrapment (by Halo Homewrecker), Lucky Nine (by Dubawi) and Society Rock (by Rock Of Gibraltar) are not out of it by any means – all have favourable draws, and the first-named ticks all the boxes in the full field of 14 runners.

After a Class 3 handicap bisects the programme comes the turn of the milers, who are due off at 1:20 p.m. IST in the Mile, for which again there are 14 starters. The defection (because of infection) of Excelebration (by Exceed And Excel) has robbed this race of an obvious "stand-out" but there are numerous runners with fine credentials.

On ratings, the New Zealand-bred Jimmy Choux (by Thorn Park) has a slight edge and is drawn 2 but reports suggest he was not exactly jumping out of his skin in the alien environment. That might leave him vulnerable to the British hopes, Cityscape (by Selkirk) and Dubawi Gold (by Dubawi). This pair has also drawn in double-digits, which is not necessarily a disaster at the trip but certainly won't help their cause. The rider of the last-named, Richard Hughes, has chosen to make his way from England to India via Hong Kong, which indicates the high esteem in which the colt is held by his connections.

Another raider which needs to be on the short list is Sahpresa (by Sahm). The American-bred, French-trained six-year-old has not been out of the first three all year long and has the right man for the big occasion, Lemaire, in the saddle. Her Gallic companion, Rajsaman (by Linamix), from Freddie Head's yard, is no mean customer himself. Of the local hopes, Xtension (by Xaar) and Destined For Glory (by Azamour) appear to have the best recent form over the trip, albeit a little behind the visitors.

At 2:00 p.m. IST, the final big event gets under way when 10 runners – split evenly between visitors and local hopes – will line up at the 2000 m. start for the running of the Cup. Each group has one standout; for the foreigners it is that grand French-trained gelding, Cirrus des Aigles (by Even Top), whose paternal grandsire Topanoora once stood in India; for the home team it is Ambitious Dragon (by Pins).

Many hopes were dashed on the afternoon of October 15th at Ascot when "Cirrus" swooped from the clouds to reel in So You Think in the Qipco Champion Stakes. Although this was a first Gr.1 success for the five-year-old, he has been consistency personified in a busy campaign. The Cup is to be his eleventh start of 2011, during which he has never finished out of the first three. The "Dragon" has also been most dependable and only the nostril of Destined For Glory has dented a perfect year which saw him visit the winner's circle six times, including in the Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup over course and distance.

On that occasion he pegged back another rival here, the late-finishing grey bullet, California Memory (by Highest Honor), who has become something of a fan favourite with his late-running style. The gelding has scored five times in Hong Kong and earned US$1.6 million from 15 starts after being relocated from France. Incidentally, his dam, Kalpita, was purchased for India for a mere US$19,000 at the Keeneland January Sales this year and is now resident at the Manjri Horse Breeders Farm, where she has an April-foaled weanling colt by Rock Hard Ten.

Juddmonte's Byword (by Peintre Celebre) had beaten "Cirrus" 2 starts back, then put in a disappointing effort in the TVG Breeders' Cup Mile at Churchill Downs. This trip would suit him better and he could well upset. It should be a day of fun for racegoers, whether at the track or watching on television or the internet.