First round of HKIR runners announced

Inferno has been scratched from the G1 Hong Kong Sprint

Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien will bring five top-line gallopers to the Longines Hong Kong International Races on December 13, which will also feature representatives from Japan, Ireland, France and, of course, Singapore.

O’Brien is bringing Magical, Order Of Australia, Mogul, Peaceful and Lope Y Fernandez.

Japan, who were a force to be reckoned with at last year’s HKIR, winning three of the four features, will have a team of six this year, including last year’s Mile winner Admire Mars, Cup champ Win Bright and talented types Danon Premium, Normcore, Tower Of London and Danon Smash.

Singapore’s very own Inferno will line up in the Sprint under champion jockey Zac Purton, up against the likes The Everest winner Classique Legend and Hong Kong’s top-raters Hot King Prawn and Computer Patch.