Westerner goes east

Westerner will bid to give French trainer Elie Lellouche his third victory in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin next month.

The Lamorlaye-based handler has been successful in the Group One contest in the past with Partipral in 1995 and two years ago with Vallee Enchantee.

Westerner, winner of the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot at York, rounded off his European campaign with an excellent second to Hurricane Run in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe last month and he will be racing over a mile and a half again on December 11.

“Westerner is in great shape and there have been no problems since his second in the Arc de Triomphe,” said Lellouche.

“I’m not too worried about the ground in Hong Kong as he acted on firm going when second in the Ascot Gold Cup in 2004. He appears to go on all surfaces.

“I’ve already won the Vase on two occasions and been placed on others. Also, the meeting comes at exactly the right time as it gives Westerner a decent break after the Arc.”

The David Elsworth-trained Norse Dancer could figure among Westerner’s rivals.

The five-year-old, who has yet to win a Group One after 21 attempts, was well beaten in the Arc but had previously finished a good second to Azamour in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Newbury.

“He’s a top horse, the best I have had never to win a Group One,” said Elsworth.

“He’s in very good form and I don’t see any reason why he can’t break through for that first big win in Hong Kong, particularly as the conditions at Sha Tin will suit – he loves fast ground.”