• Goemon and Calif represent the Kingdom at Sha Tin on Sunday.
• Connections hopeful that Hong Kong races will bring out the best in the Bahrain trained horses

Bahrain’s two highest rated horses, Calif and Goemon, are primed for action and ready to run at Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday. The pair will be competing at the prestigious Champions Day meeting, Hong Kong racing’s season finale. The event features three elite Group 1 races and has attracted runners from all over the world.

Representing Bahrain in the day’s most valuable race, the Queen Elizabeth II Cup, worth US$3.582million, will be Calif, owned by Victorious Racing and trained by Fawzi Nass. Calif has experience of racing at Sha Tin, having run well on his last visit in December, when he finished sixth behind the great Romantic Warrior.

Romantic Warrior will not be in the line-up on Sunday, but there is still high-class opposition for Calif to overcome, notably the French trained Goliath, who is the highest rated horse in the field. The 11-horse line-up also includes strong representation from Japan, led by Liberty Island, who finished ahead of Calif at Sha Tin last year.

Calif’s jockey, Adrie de Vries, is hoping the return to 2000m after trying 2400m in Dubai will give the 6-year-old a chance of making the frame: “His last run in Dubai was a little bit disappointing but it was the first time over a mile and a half and I think that was too far for him, so I think he had an excuse.

“He ran a good race (in Hong Kong) in December. I want to sit a little bit closer this time if I can, the problem is Calif is sometimes slow from the gate. Previously, he ran a very good race in Saudi, so hopefully he can repeat that run and be in the frame.”

Joining Calif in Hong Kong is Bahrain’s leading miler, Goemon, who runs in the Group 1 Champions Mile, worth US$3.07million.

Goemon enjoyed a wonderful domestic season for owner Mohammed Khalid Abdulrahim and trainer Haider Ebrahim, winning four times, as well as running well in Saudi Arabia and creditably in Dubai to confirm his status as Bahrain’s best miler.

In Dubai Goemon stepped up to 1800m and the return to 1600m at Sha Tin is likely to suit. The locally trained Voyage Bubble and the multiple Group 1 winning Australian horse, Mr Brightside, lead a deep field of quality opposition with 13 runners in total.

Goemon’s trainer, Haider Ebrahim said: “The Dubai Turf was 1800m and we decided to come to Hong Kong because he’s a miler and this trip will suit him much better. Goemon is a champion in Bahrain, and I think he’s at his peak now.”

To see the full line-up for the Group 1 QEII Cup Click Here

To see the full line-up for the Group 1 Champions Mile Click Here