The Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin is the last big event of the year for thoroughbred racing. Comprised of four Group 1 turf races run under weight-for-age conditions, they range from the Sprint at 6 furlongs to the Vase at 1 1/2 miles. The first one will go to post Sunday at 2pm local time which is 1am Eastern Time as they are 13 hours ahead in Hong Kong. Racing fans in North America can watch the whole card on HRTV in the U.S., HPI-TV in Canada, and at selected simulcast locations around the country starting shortly after midnight Eastern time on Saturday night/Sunday morning.
The main event and final race is the Hong Kong Cup (G1) at 2000-meters (about 1 1/4 miles) local hero Vengeance of Rain who won in 2005 and was third in 2006 is back to try again from post 7. His trainer David Ferraris said, "His last run just what he needed it put a bit of speed in to him. He finished very strongly and he has come through his prep really well. He's fresh and looking really good. Those three horses - by all accounts and press reports he'll be running for second on Sunday against Viva Pataca but that's not our view and we're looking forward to the encounter."
Dylan Thomas, winner of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and Cartier Horse of the Year for 2007, will make the final start of his career in the 2400 meter (about 1 1/2 miles) Hong Kong Vase (G1). His trainer Aidan O'Brien said, "After recent events things are up in the air a bit. (referring to his stay in quarantine in Japan) We know just how good he is on his good days and he seems to be in fine form now, but he has had a long, hard season. I don't think any other horse but him would have got this far. You can never be too confident, but we are hopeful. He has a great will to win."
Below are all the entries with post positions and race numbers. You can get a free form guide here in PDF or Word format. These are not traditional North American type past performances, but you should be able to understand them pretty well. Other info like past winners is also provided here. Click the race numbers below for a race card with trainers, jockeys, weights, and the silks of each horse.
| The Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup | |||
| Horse No. | Horse Name | Country | Post Position |
| 1 | RAMONTI | UAE | 4 |
| 2 | VENGEANCE OF RAIN | HK | 7 |
| 3 | VIVA PATACA | HK | 3 |
| 4 | SHADOW GATE | JPN | 2 |
| 5 | ART TRADER | HK | 1 |
| 6 | ROYAL PRINCE | HK | 6 |
| 7 | MUSICAL WAY | FR | 5 |
The Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase | |||
| Horse No. | Horse Name | Country | Post Position |
| 1 | DYLAN THOMAS | IRE | 7 |
| 2 | QUIJANO | GER | 1 |
| 3 | RED ROCKS | GB | 8 |
| 4 | DOCTOR DINO | FR | 4 |
| 5 | BUSSONI | GER | 6 |
| 6 | EGERTON | GER | 3 |
| 7 | VITAL KING | HK | 9 |
| 8 | ARCH REBEL | IRE | 10 |
| 9 | KOCAB | FR | 2 |
| 10 | VIVA MACAU | HK | 13 |
| 11 | HAWKES BAY | HK | 11 |
| 12 | EVER BRIGHT | HK | 5 |
| 13 | MACLEYA | FR | 12 |
The Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile | |||
| Horse No. | Horse Name | Country | Post Position |
| 1 | KONGO RIKISHIO | JPN | 1 |
| 2 | SPIRITO DEL VENTO | FR | 13 |
| 3 | THE DUKE | HK | 3 |
| 4 | ABLE ONE | HK | 2 |
| 5 | AL QASI | GB | 10 |
| 6 | FLORAL PEGASUS | HK | 11 |
| 7 | GOOD BA BA | HK | 6 |
| 8 | JOYFUL WINNER | HK | 7 |
| 9 | DOWN TOWN | HK | 4 |
| 10 | EXCELLENT ART | IRE | 5 |
| 11 | CREACHADOIR | UAE | 12 |
| 12 | VISIONARIO | HK | 8 |
| 13 | DARJINA | FR | 9 |
The Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint | |||
| Horse No. | Horse Name | Country | Post Position |
| 1 | ABSOLUTE CHAMPION | HK | 3 |
| 2 | BENBAUN | GB | 2 |
| 3 | SACRED KINGDOM | HK | 6 |
| 4 | MARCHAND D'OR | FR | 5 |
| 5 | SCINTILLATION | HK | 7 |
| 6 | TIZA | FR | 11 |
| 7 | DESERT LORD | GB | 9 |
| 8 | WHY BE | SIN | 13 |
| 9 | ROYAL DELIGHT | HK | 4 |
| 10 | SUNNY SING | HK | 1 |
| 11 | SUNNY POWER | HK | 10 |
| 12 | GREEN BIRDIE | HK | 8 |
| 13 | MISS ANDRETTI | AUS | 12 |
