Rakti ready for Hong Kong test

Rakti will bid to end his illustrious career on a high in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin on Sunday week.

The enigmatic six-year-old, the winner of six Group One races, is due to take up stallion duties at the Huma Park Stud in County Kildare next year.

Although Rakti finished second to Falbrav in 2003 in the 10-furlong Hong Kong Cup and seventh behind Alexander Goldrun in the same race 12 months ago, connections have decided to go for the shorter option this time.

Three of his four starts this year have been over a mile and he was particularly impressive when he landed the Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes over the trip in May.

“He runs in the Mile. He was selected for the mile-and-a-quarter race but they’ve invited him to run in the Mile,” his trainer Michael Jarvis confirmed.

“It’s his final run so it would be nice if he could go out on a high note - he’s been very good to us.

“He’s fine and goes out there late on Thursday night. He’s been training nicely and all is well with him.”

Rakti never got a run on his most recent outing in the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes when he finished sixth behind David Junior.

Reflecting on that effort, Jarvis added: “The Champion was a strange race. Alkaased, Oratorio and Rakti didn’t see daylight at all, so he certainly didn’t have a hard race.

“He’s only had fours starts all year so he’s going there pretty fresh.”

Rakti’s regular partner, Philip Robinson, will once again take the ride.