NEWS
Kip Deville settling in for Hong Kong Mile
Posted: Wednesday, November 26, 2008 11:49 AM
KIP DEVILLE
Hong Kong Jockey Club photo
Kip Deville, the 2007 Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) winner and runner-up in this year’s edition, has arrived at Sha Tin Racecourse ahead of a start in the $2.1-million Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile (HK-G1).
Kip Deville is one of four American-based candidates for the International Races program on December 14. Grade 2 winner Awesome Gem will join him in the Hong Kong Mile, while Grade 1 winner Artiste Royal and Grade 2 winner Out of Control (Brz) will target the $2.6-million Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup (HK-G1).
The European contingent for the Hong Kong Cup likely will include Eagle Mountain (GB), the runner-up to Conduit (GB) in the Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1), and three-time Group 1 winner Lush Lashes.
Doctor Dino (Fr), the 2007 Man o’ War Stakes (G1) winner, will continue his international travels in the $1.8-million Hong Kong Vase (HK-G1), which also is on the agenda for Breeders’ Cup Marathon winner Muhannak (Ire).
“The usual top class delegation is on the way to Hong Kong from Europe, and we are especially pleased to have lured our strongest ever team United States with four runners, including Breeders’ Cup Mile winner, Kip Deville,” said Bill Nader, the former New York Racing Association executive who is now the executive director of racing for the Hong Kong Jockey Club. “[Kip Deville] has already settled in well at our quarantine barn at Sha Tin and will be out on the training track [on November 27].”
Defending winner Good Ba Ba will represent the home team again in the Hong Kong Mile, and Viva Pataca is the top local contender for the Hong Kong Cup after finishing second last year.
“This meeting is not just the highlight of our season, but also one of the most prominent occasions in Hong Kong sport and we are very much looking forward to hosting another tremendous day of world class racing on the second Sunday in December,” Nader said.
