Sha Tin’s marquee meeting is likely to have an American flavour for the first time since 2017 after the Jockey Club included Christophe Clement-trained stayer Soldier Rising in this year’s HK$24 million Group One Longines Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) field.

Soldier Rising, whom French conditioner Andre Fabre trained in his two- and three-year-old seasons, has competed under Clement’s banner in the United States over the past two and a half years.

Even though Soldier Rising, set to become the first American runner at the Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) since Peter Miller-prepared sprinter Stormy Liberal was 11th behind Mr Stunning six seasons ago, has not won a black-type event, his record includes four seconds in Group One contests run in 2023.

Soldier Rising was the runner-up in May’s Man o’ War Stakes (2,200m), June’s Manhattan Stakes (2,000m), August’s Sword Dancer Stakes (2,400m) and October’s Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes (2,400m).

American visitors have won two HKIR races. Glen Kate triumphed in the April 1993 edition of the Hong Kong International Bowl (1,400m), and Val’s Prince took out the 1997 Hong Kong International Cup (1,800m).

Japanese raiders have won three of the past four renewals of the Hong Kong Vase, and there are likely to be four stayers from the Land of the Rising Sun seeking to succeed Win Marilyn as the title holder.

Group One champions Shahryar and Geraldina feature among Japan’s Hong Kong Vase squad, with Group Two victors Zeffiro and Lebensstil adding their star power. All up, 14 Japanese gallopers are among the Jockey Club’s selections for the four HKIR events.

Aidan O’Brien has a representative in all four HKIR races, but the Hong Kong Vase is the only one the phenomenally successful Irish trainer has won. Warm Heart, triumphant in the Group One Prix Vermeille (2,400m) at Longchamp in September, has Highland Reel (2015 and 2017) and Mogul (2020) to emulate.

Simon and Ed Crisford’s West Wind Blows, whose recent Australian campaign included beating Romantic Warrior when he finished second to Gold Trip in the Group One Turnbull Stakes (2,000m) at Flemington, and Fabre’s Group One Grosser Preis von Bayern (2,400m) winner, Junko, are the British and French gallopers among the Hong Kong Vase runners.

No Hong Kong stayer has won a Hong Kong Vase since Exultant defeated Lys Gracieux by a neck in 2018. Russian Emperor represents Hong Kong’s best hope of winning the longest of the four HKIR contests, with Senor Toba, Five G Patch and La City Blanche also among the field for the 12-furlong examination.