Ballydoyle duo well ahead of Hong Kong tests Highland Reel is reported to be thriving ahead of his defence of the Hong Kong Vase. Aidan O'Brien's four-year-old was an authoritative winner of the Sha Tin prize 12 months ago, adding to his previous top-level international success in the Secretariat Stakes at Arlington Park. He has doubled his Group One tally in 2016, claiming a first in Europe in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot before winning the Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita. O'Brien's travelling head lad Pat Keating joined Highland Reel on his return to the Far East and could not be happier with his well being following his latest workout on the all-weather. Keating said: "He is a great traveller, and I can tell you that when he arrived here at Sha Tin, his head came up, he looked about him, and he knew exactly where he was. "He's well and I've no worries about him, everything is good." Keating also confirmed "everything is good" with Hong Kong Mile contender Cougar Mountain, who also exercised on the all-weather under regular rider Craig Bryson.
