Paolini to miss Hong Kong Cup

German horse Paolini will miss the Hong Kong Cup after failing to please connections in his work.

The six-year-old finished finished second in the race last year but trainer Andreas Wohler has informed officials that the horse worked very disappointingly and would not be able to compete.

His place in the 10-furlong showpiece will be taken by local horse Blue Stitch.

The Tony Millard-trained four-year-old suffered a training setback last season but has bounced back well, particularly when a staying-on sixth in the ING Hong Kong Champions & Chater Cup.

Meanwhile, American rider Victor Espinoza is hopeful of a good showing from the Neil Drysdale-trained Sarafan in the race.

The six-year-old was a disappointing 17th of 18 runners in the Japan Cup last Sunday but Espinoza believes he will run a better race on a faster track at Sha Tin.

“I’m excited about taking the mount on Sarafan in the Hong Kong Cup because he didn’t like the soft track in the Japan Cup last weekend and he didn’t have a hard race at all,” he said.

“I believe he is more likely to get a firmer track in Hong Kong. That will be good for him.”