Globetrotting galloper Dubai Honour has been withdrawn from Sunday week’s Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) at Sha Tin, reducing the field for the staying contest to 11.
A five-time visitor to Hong Kong and runner-up to Giavellotto in last year’s Vase, the William Haggas-trained Dubai Honour was officially withdrawn on Monday after racing in the United Kingdom last Friday.
The evergreen seven-year-old claimed his 10th career win with a typically tough performance in the Listed Midnite Churchill Stakes (2,200m) at Southwell.
The Jockey Club also confirmed on Tuesday that Australian import Shanwah, who ran at the tail of the field in Sunday’s Class Two 1,600m Turf Handicap at Sha Tin, has been withdrawn from the Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m).
He joins French star Calandagan, who bagged a famous success in Sunday’s Group One Japan Cup (2,400m), as withdrawals for the Cup.
Last year’s Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) hero Massive Sovereign has been withdrawn from the Group One Hong Kong Mile, for which he was second reserve.
The David Eustace-trained gelding will take on champion galloper Romantic Warrior in the Hong Kong Cup.
Meanwhile, champion jockey Ryan Moore will return from a stress fracture in a femur on Wednesday in a sign he is on track to ride at the Longines International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC).
Out of action since August, Moore will make his comeback with five rides at Lingfield. He was named last month in the star-studded line up for next week’s IJC at Happy Valley, pending his return from injury.
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