Starlust and Rossa Ryan winning at Del Mar© Photo Healy Racing
Connections of Starlust expect the Sha Tin track to suit their charge as the Breeders’ Cup winner attempts to add the Longines Hong Kong Sprint to his tally.
The three-year-old posted a career-best when securing the Grade One Turf Sprint at Del Mar last month, coming from last to first over five furlongs to win the Breeders’ Cup prize for trainer Ralph Beckett.
That was Starlust’s 10th run of the year, having started his season at Meydan back in January, but owners Jim and Fitri Hay have decided to roll the dice again, adding him to the Hong Kong field which features local star Ka Ying Rising, winner of eight of his 10 starts to date.
Starlust enjoyed a canter on the Sha Tin all-weather track on Wednesday, with Alex Cole, racing manager for the Hays, impressed by his fortitude over a long campaign.
He said: “A Breeders’ Cup winner running anywhere is very exciting. He’s a horse that is three years old, he’s run in Dubai, France, England, America and this will be his 11th run this year. He shouldn’t be enjoying it as much as he is, but he does, he loves it.
“He enjoys his job and while he enjoys his job, we’re going to enjoy it with him. We’ve had to supplement him, if you finish top three you’re over the moon but he’s a Breeders’ Cup winner over five furlongs, round a bend.
“They’ll go hard but we’ll worry about ourselves. He very rarely lets us down. I think a flat track will be to his liking as well.”
The Hong Kong Cup lost a contender on Wednesday with news that Massive Sovereign will miss the 10-furlong contest due to a hind leg injury.
A four-year-old son of No Nay Never, the 2024 Hong Kong Derby winner was previously known as Broadhurst when trained by Aidan O’Brien, for whom he won at Dundalk and Leopardstown before his sale towards the end of last year.
