World Stars Of The Turf To Grace Cathay Pacific HKIR 2006 The Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Races 2006 will draw several of the biggest names in world racing to Sha Tin on December 10.Hong Kong?s premier sporting event numbers 33 international entries, including 18 individual international Gr.1 winners of a combined 39 Gr.1 races from nine countries outside Hong Kong. This year the four international Gr.1 races are worth a record HK$62m (approx. US$8m) in stakes. 'We are very much looking forward to our most important meeting, the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Races. We feel that the quality and global diversity of the fields is such that Sha Tin will stage the Turf World Championships on the second Sunday in December and we guarantee a unique day of world class racing entertainment that just cannot be missed,' said Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, the Hong Kong Jockey Club?s Executive Director of Racing. The Major Players Ouija Board ? The first dual winner of both the Cartier European Horse of the Year award and Breeders? Cup Filly & Mare Turf. Hong Kong race fans will witness the final start of a brilliant career that has yielded seven Gr.1 successes. Pride? The world?s top-ranked mare having easily won the Champion Stakes after an unlucky second in the Prix de l?Arc de Triomphe. She too will retire after her second CXHK Cup attempt. Takeover Target ? The world?s top-ranked sprinter on turf is already successful in the Global Sprint Challenge and chases a US$1m bonus with victory in the CXHK Sprint. Mandesha ? Europe?s Champion 3yo Filly this season after an impressive trio of consecutive Gr.1 victories. Bullish Luck ? Hong Kong?s Horse of the Year and champion miler in the Asian Racing Federation having won two legs of the Asian Mile Challenge last term. Vengeance Of Rain ? Defending Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup champion and winner of the 2005 World Racing Championship. Alexander Goldrun ? Five-time Gr.1 scorer whose finest hour came with a narrow win in the Cup two years ago. Song Of Wind ? Classic winner in Japan this season ? his St Leger triumph last month denied Meisho Samson the Triple Crown. For race previews click on links below ?The Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase Gr.1 ? 2400m The Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint Gr.1 ? 1200mThe Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile Gr.1 ? 1600m The Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup Gr.1 ? 2000m
