NINE Karaka Graduates set for Hong Kong International Meeting

The world's racing stars all converge on Sha Tin on Sunday to contest the Cathay Pacific International Meeting, including nine graduates of the Karaka sales ring.

The meeting features four Group 1 races on the ten -race card, with fifty-four contestants fighting for the HK$62,000,000 (NZ$14,670,000) in prize money.Twelve of these fifty four international horses are Kiwi-breds (22%), an impressive showing given that Australia, South Africa, Europe, the United States of America, and further afield are all represented.

With a history of success at the international meeting, amongst previous victors Karaka graduate The Duke (Danehill) won the Hong Kong Mile in 2006, while Hong Kong Lifetime Achievement awarded Vengeance of Reign (Zabeel) took the 2005 Hong Kong Cup.

Waikato (NZ) (Pins) represents New Zealand-breds for trainer Laurie Laxon in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint (1200m)on Sunday. Photo: Singapore Turf Club

2008 HK$14,000,000 HK-1 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase (2400m)

New Zealand is represented by Karaka graduates Packing Winner and Jackpot Delight, formerly Hamlet's Ghost.

Packing Winner (Zabeel) (Drawn 7) who won the HK-1 Champions and Chater Cup for trainer Peter Ho will be ridden by champion Hong Kong hoop Douglas Whyte on Sunday.

Ghostly grey Jackpot Delight (Danasinga) (9) won five races in a row in New Zealand before being sold to Hong Kong where he was placed in the HK-2 Cup Trial (2000) at his last start. He is trained by Casper Fownes and will be ridden by Gerald Mosse.

International interest in this field includes the likes of Luca Cumani's Melbourne Cup place-getter Purple Moon (Galileo), as well as last year's Vase winner, French raider Doctor Dino (Muhtathir) and Australian Douro Valley (Encosta De Lago).

2008 HK$12,000,000 HK-1 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint (1200m)

New Zealand is represented by Karaka graduates Enthused, Green Birdie, and Waikato as well as Nightlign.

Enthused (Centaine) (13) who won the HK-2 Sprint Trial for trainer John Size, will be ridden by Douglas Whyte while Green Birdie (Catbird) (5) trained by Casper Fownes to win the HK-3 Premier Bowl (1200m) earlier in the Hong Kong season will be ridden by Olivier Doleuze.

Nightlign (Align) (11), named New Zealand Champion Two-Year-Old for 2006/07 will represent trainer Almond Lee in the feature sprint where he will be ridden by Gerald Mosse.

Waikato (Pins) (6), Singapore's top sprinter for Champion Singapore trainer Laurie Laxon will be ridden by Singapore's leading jockey Saimee Jumait.

International interest in this field includes the likes of European Champion sprinter Marchand D'Or (Marchand de Sable), as well as Australia's baldy faced assassin Apache Cat (Lion Cavern).

2008 HK$16,000,000 HK-1 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile (1600m)

New Zealand is represented by Karaka graduates Egyptian Ra, Able One, and Joy and Fun as well as Armada.

Egyptian Ra (Woodborough) (13) the runaway leader and winner of the HK-2 Mile Trial almost three weeks ago for trainer Tony Cruz will be ridden again my master tactician Felix Coetzee.

Able One (Cape Cross) (5), winner of the HK-1 Champions Mile for trainer John Moore, will be ridden by top Australian born jockey Darren Beadman.

Joy and Fun (Cullen) (14) a winner of seven races in Hong Kong for his trainer Derek Cruz will be ridden by star South African jockey Weichong Marwing in the feature mile.

Armada (Towkay) (4) second to Champion Japanese mare Vodka in this year's Group 1 Tokyo Yasuda Kinen is all class for trainer John Size, and he has top Hong Kong jockey Douglas Whyte on board.

Bullish Cash (Howbaddouwantit) (6) has won two races since arriving in Hong Kong for trainer Tony Cruz. Known as Wewantit in New Zealand he won four races, and on Sunday he will be ridden by Irish Jockey Mick Kinane.

International interest in this field includes the likes of local hero Good Ba Ba (Lear Fan), 2008 Breeder's Cup Mile winner Kip Deville (Kipling), and France's tough grey 2008 English 1000 Guineas winner Natagora (Divine Light).

2008 HK$20,000,000 HK-1 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup (2000m)

New Zealand is represented by Karaka graduate Sight Winner.

Sight Winner (Faltaat) (3)a massive second beating Good Ba Ba in the HK-2 Mile Trial three weeks ago places John Size's son of Faltaat in good stead with the step up to the 2000m of the Cup. Douglas Whyte rides Sight Winner in the feature event on the card.

International interest in this field includes the likes of Hong Kong stars Viva Pataca (Marju) and Bullish Luck (Royal Academy), along with Jim Bolger's three time Group 1 winning three-year-old Irish filly Lush Lashes (Galileo).