The fields for the four races at Sha Tin racecourse on Sunday are set.
Seven answer the starter’s call in the Hong Kong Cup. This is over 2000 metres.

1. Ramonti post 4
2. Vengeance of Rain post 7
3. Viva Pataca..post 3
4. Shadow Gate…post 2
5. Art Trader..post 1
6. Royal Prince..post 6
7. Musical Way…post 5

Ramonti won three Group I races in England this year. He won the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot. He beat Excellent Art in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. Ramonti’s third Group I win came in the QE II Stakes at Ascot in late September. Ramonti tries to stretch to 2,000 from 1,600 metres. Frankie Dettori rides.

Viva Pataca is in splendid form. He is the local hope. If current fitness is the criterion, Viva Pataca must be given an excellent chance.

Vengeance Of Rain won the Sheema Classic in Dubai on World Cup Day in March. On his day, he is capable of beating the best. Trainer Dave Ferraris is optimistic. “He thrives this time of year. I am very happy. He is very close to the form he was in when winning in Dubai.”

Here is the field for the Hong Kong Mile. Needless to say, this is a 1,600-metre race.

1. Kongo Rikishio ..post 1
2. Spirito Del Vento …post 13
3. The Duke..post 3
4. Able One…post 2
5. Al Qasi… post 10
6. Floral Pegasus…post 11
7. Good Ba Ba…post 6
8. Joyful Winner…post 7
9. Downtown… post 4
10. Excellent Art…post 4
11. Creachadoir…post 12
12. Visionario…post 8
13. Darjina…post 9

Excellent Art, second in the Breeders’ Cup (turf) mile at Monmouth Park, is favoured. The Aidan O’Brien runner came out of post-13 in the BC turf. Post-4 is a great draw. The ground will also help him. Based on his consistency, Excellent Art should take a lot of beating.

Creachadoir had big races in the French 2000 Guineas and the Irish 2000 Guineas. He is a recent Godolphin acquisition. Post-12 will make harsh demands. He has trained forwardly in Hong Kong.

Good Ba Ba was an impressive winner in the Mile Trial on November 17, 2007. There is no question he will be in the mix.

Darjina had the beating of Ramonti in the Prix de Moulin at Longchamp. In the QEII at Ascot, Darjina failed to act on soft turf. The Aga Khan-owned filly should be seen in better light with the Sha Tin surface likely to be on the fast side on Sunday.

The Hong Kong Vase has 13 runners. It is over 2,400 metres.

1. Dylan Thomas…post 7
2. Quijano…post 1
3. Red Rocks…post 8
4. Doctor Dino..post 4
5. Bussoni…post 6
6. Egerton…post 3
7. Vital King…post 9
8. Arch Rebel…post 10
9. Kolab…post 2
10. Viva Macau…post 13
11.Hawkes Bay…post 11
12..Ever Bright…post 5
13. Macleya…post 12

Dylan Thomas is a true Grade I commodity. He won the Arc in Paris in early October. He was the best in the Irish Champion Stakes. His loss in the BC Turf and the reasons have been well documented. This will be the last race in his career. He goes to stud. A mix-up prevented him from running in Tokyo. Aidan O’Brien has expressed satisfaction at how well his charge has been working. The going should suit Dylan Thomas. Big-race rider John Murtagh makes the trip to Hong Kong.

Red Rocks and Doctor Dino have given every satisfaction in their workouts. Red Rocks won the BC Turf in 2006 and 2007 has been lacklustre for him. He needs to raise his game. Doctor Dino is consistent and tough. He won the Man O War at Belmont Park in a driving finish.

There is a 13-horse field in the Hong Kong Sprint over 1,200 metres.

1. Absolute Champion..post 3
2. Benbaun…post 2
3. Sacred Kingdom..post 6
4. Marchand d’Or…post 5
5. Scintillation..post 7
6. Tiza…post 11
7. Desert Lord…post 9
8. Why Be…post 13
9. Royal Delight…post 4
10. Sunny Sing..post 1
11. Sunny Power…post 10
12. Green Birdie…post 8
13. Miss Andretti..post 12 Miss Andretti has ultra-strong credentials. Her win in the King’s Stand at Royal Ascot was breath-taking. She will be favoured. Post-12 will make things difficult. Trainer Lee Freedman put a positive spin. “I don’t think the draw will be a problem. There is speed on the inside and that sometimes can make it tough for those drawn down on the rails. Anyway, a good jockey should be able to overcome it inside a furlong.”

Sacred Kingdom is in peak form. The victory in the Trial showed Sacred Kingdom is absolutely ready for the big race on Sunday. Trainer Ricky Yiu has not made an attempt to temper his optimism. “He is only four and continues to get better. He is spot on.”

David Hall, Absolute Champion’s trainer, emphasized that the short turn to the first turn will be a disadvantage to Miss Andretti. “It’s pretty important barrier (draw) for 1,200-metre trips. It is a short run to the first turn and I’d rather be drawn in. Miss Andretti’s camp will have plenty of thinking to do now.”

I saw Benbaun win the 1,000-metre (straight run) Prix de Abbaye at Longchamp on Arc day. It was an impressive showing. From post-2, Benbaun will be forwardly-placed.

Desert Lord was an upset Abbaye winner in 2005. He is fast. He is classy but his current form may not be on the bright side.

My picks:
Viva Pataca in the Hong Kong Cup.
Excellent Art in the Hong Kong mile.
I will not oppose Dylan Thomas in the Hong Kong Vase.
Sacred Kingdom, from post-6, is my choice in the Sprint. Miss Andretti is a serious danger.

It has been confirmed that Ryan Moore will ride for Sir Michael Stoute in 2008. Moore won the English riding title in 2005. Despite a truncated season because of injury, Ryan had 125 winners this year. He is now the 1-3 favourite to be champion next year.

Doug Whyte won the International Jockeys’ Championship held at Happy Valley Racecourse on Wednesday. He rode two winners. Christophe Soumillon, the French ace, was the runner-up.

Doug Whyte has been the champion jockey in Hong Kong for the past seven seasons. His two winners on Wednesday took his tally to 946-number of winners in Hong Kong. That mark tied his total with the incomparable Tony Cruz. Whyte was ecstatic. “What a great honour to represent Hong Kong! You have to be sharper than ever when competing against these jockeys. A great day to draw level with Tony Cruz.”

Hong Kong is two and one half hours ahead of India. Check your local listings. If you can, set some time aside to watch these races. The horses are some of the best in the world. The jockeys cannot be better. The trainers are absolutely first class.