Hong Kong beckons for Cumani's Cup winner

Alkaased is on course to try to follow up his Japan Cup victory in the Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin on Sunday week.

Trainer Luca Cumani is eyeing the Cathay Pacific-sponsored event after the five-year-old’s narrow win in Tokyo last week.

Alkaased is now due to line up in the 12-furlong contest but Cumani could be forced to find a new rider as Japan Cup pilot Frankie Dettori could be claimed by Godolphin.

Cumani told the Racing Post: “Frankie will ride if he is available but Godolphin have Cherry Mix in the race so I don’t know if he will be free.

“I don’t know who would ride him then but I don’t think it will be difficult to get a top-class jockey. At the moment the plan is to run and he is scheduled to fly out to Hong Kong from Japan on Thursday.”