A dozen Group One winners are among the overseas contingent entered for this year’s FWD Champions Day, with Japan again showing significant interest in Hong Kong’s second-biggest race day.

Winner of last year’s fillies’ Triple Crown in Japan, Liberty Island has been entered for the Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) and headlines the 25-strong contingent from the Land of the Rising Sun, while Prognosis could make a third trip to Hong Kong after finishing second behind Romantic Warrior in the 2023 QE II Cup.

Mr Brightside headlines a smattering of nominations from Australia but is considered unlikely to make the journey. However, Britain’s Dubai Honour is one galloper who could grace Sha Tin on April 28.

When confirming recently Dubai Honour would not be returning to Australia, trainer William Haggas said he hoped to have another crack at Romantic Warrior after finishing third in the QE II Cup 12 months ago.

The other Group One winner from Britain among the entries is last-start Sprint Cup (1,200m) victor Regional, who is entered for the Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1,200m) alongside Japan’s Champagne Color, who is an elite-level winner over a mile at home and also holds an entry for the Group One Champions Mile.

Adrian Murray’s Crypto Force is the only Irish horse entered, while recent Group One Jebel Hatta (1,800m) conqueror Measured Time headlines a trio of entries from the United Arab Emirates and Fort Payne, Dolayli, Facteur Cheval and Zarir could represent France.

Local stars Golden Sixty, Romantic Warrior, Lucky Sweynesse, California Spangle and Voyage Bubble have all been entered, while David Hayes has thrown last year’s Group One Blue Diamond Stakes (1,200m) winner, Little Brose, in the mix despite him not yet running in Hong Kong.

“We are excited by the spread and quality of international entries among the nominations for FWD Champions Day,” Jockey Club executive director of racing Andrew Harding said.

“The potential return of Golden Sixty in the FWD Champions Mile after his stunning Longines Hong Kong Mile performance in December, along with Romantic Warrior in the FWD QE II Cup and Lucky Sweynesse in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize, lays the foundation for another wonderful staging of our spring flagship meeting.

“We are delighted at the support we have received from overseas owners and trainers in Japan, England, France, Ireland, Australia and the United Arab Emirates, with the number of entries across our three Group One features rising from 71 last season to 89 this year.

“With 48 entries in total from abroad and 41 from Hong Kong, Hong Kong is poised to showcase international racing at its best with the presence of elite horses and champion jockeys and trainers at Champions Day next month.”