No Illusion: Magical Being Considered for Hong Kong Cup

Fans of Magical may get one more chance to see the multiple group 1-winning filly run. She is one of five Aidan O'Brien-trained entries left in the running for December's Longines Hong Kong International Races meeting at Sha Tin.

The daughter of Galileo missed her intended swan song in the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) after spiking a temperature and was subsequently retired, but O'Brien has kept her in the reckoning for the Longines Hong Kong Cup (G1) at the latest stage announced Nov. 20.

Magical was among 50 runners selected through Wednesday's stage for the HK$93 million (US$12.1 million) Hong Kong International Races Dec. 8 at Sha Tin. While Magical may be the most surprising runner on that list, Almond Eye arguably is the biggest standout. The 2018 Japanese Fillies' Triple Crown winner and reigning Horse of the Year is one of the 26 top-level winners set to compete among a contingent of 24 overseas raiders aiming at this year's event that the Hong Kong Jockey Club bills as the "Turf World Championships."

The four international group 1 races include the Longines Hong Kong Cup at 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles), the Longines Hong Kong Mile, the Longines Hong Kong Sprint at 1,200 meters (about six furlongs), and the Longines Hong Kong Vase at 2,400 meters (about 1 1/2 miles).

If everything comes together, Magical and Almond Eye would face each another in the Hong Kong Cup.

A strong Hong Kong team is headed by 2018 Hong Kong Horse of the Year Beauty Generation, who will try to win the Hong Kong Mile a third straight year. Local runners swept the four international races last year, and each winner returns as Exultant will again try to go the distance in the Vase, Mr Stunning will aim to win the Sprint a third straight year, and Glorious Forever will again try the deep waters of the Cup.

"The Longines Hong Kong International Races is firmly established among a select handful of the world's greatest international racing occasions," said HKJC executive director of racing Andrew Harding. "We are delighted that the quality of the selected runners for this year's Longines Hong Kong International Races is in keeping with our long-held commitment to deliver sporting excellence.

"Almond Eye's participation is particularly exciting when viewed in the context of the other world-class horses selected: champions of the caliber of Beauty Generation and Exultant, other global stars like Magical and the (Investec) Derby (G1) winner Anthony Van Dyck, and the list is long and strong."

Anthony Van Dyck, entered in the Vase, would be the first Epsom Derby winner to compete in the Hong Kong International Races.

Joining Almond Eye from Japan are 10 other runners, including crack milers Indy Champ, Normcore, and Admire Mars, 2019 classic heroine Loves Only You, and star fillies Lucky Lilac and the talented globe-trotter Deirdre, as well as Win Bright, already a group 1 winner at Sha Tin.