With no graded action on the flat in the United States this weekend, the eyes will be on high-quality racing overseas. The standout race on the flat this weekend will take place in Asia, with the lucrative Hong Kong Cup headlining a quality night of racing at Sha Tin Racecourse.

There will be international challengers in the race worth $4.3 million, with the field set to compete over 1 ¼ miles on the turf.

Bet on the Hong Kong Cup at BetDSI!

History & Records

The Hong Kong Cup forms the centerpiece of the racing at Sha Tin this weekend, and it has quickly become one of the most significant races to be staged in Asia. This race was first staged in 1988, and it has taken place annually in mid-December since its formation.

European runners have been able to enter since 1990, with American and Canadian-trained runners eligible from 1991. It has been a Group 1 race since 1999, and there have been some famous winners of Hong Kong’s richest turf race.

Romantic Warrior holds the speed record after winning in 1:59.70 in 2022, while California Memory is the only two-time winner of the race. Anthony Cruz is the leading trainer, with Frankie Dettori holding the record for the most wins as a jockey.

Leading Contenders

Romantic Warrior

There’s little surprise to see the betting dominated by Romantic Warrior for trainer Danny Shum in 2023. The five-year-old was a stunning winner of this race 12 months ago, as he finished over four lengths clear of Danon The Kid. His form since that success has remained strong, finishing second behind the incredibly talented Golden Sixty in Group 1 company in January and February.

Romantic Warrior traveled to Australia for the first time in October, but he was fourth in the G1 Turnbull Stakes. On his latest start, he won the G1 Cox Plate by a short head from Mr Brightside. The form highlights that he is once again the runner to beat.

Horizon Dore

French-trained Horizon Dore looks set to be one of the more interesting challengers this weekend on his first start outside of Europe. He holds some excellent form, which includes a third behind King Of Steel in the G1 Qipco Champions Stakes at Ascot at the end of October.

His French form is stunning on paper, with his only defeats this year coming behind the largely progressing Big Rock. He scored over this distance at Longchamp in late September, beating Jack Darcy by over a length in the G2 Prix Dollar. At a price, he could be one worth keeping on side this weekend.

Luxembourg

Aidan O’Brien’s search for a first win in the Hong Kong Cup continues this weekend, as the training maestro sends Luxembourg to Sha Tin. The four-year-old holds some very strong form behind some proven runners at the highest level. That includes his narrow defeat against recently crowned G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf hero Auguste Rodin in the G1 Irish Champion Stakes.

The four-year-old was also fourth behind Hukum in the G1 King George and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and second behind Mostahdaf in the G1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes. Luxembourg brings very high-class form to the table, and he could be the best European chance of a victory in this race since Snow Fairy in 2010.

Hong Kong Cup Prediction

This looks set to be a thrilling renewal of the Hong Kong Cup with many runners boasting excellent chances. It could be worth taking on Romantic Warrior, as back-to-back wins in the race are hard to achieve. Therefore, a chance could be taken on Horizon Dore, who has produced some stunning efforts in high grades throughout the season, and a notable scalp could be achieved on Saturday night.

Pick: Horizon Dore (Bet at BetDSI)