A third Melbourne Cup may have slipped from Joseph O’Brien’s grasp last November, but if Al Riffa can summon the right pieces of Hong Kong Vase history, a major victory at Sha Tin could ease the disappointment.
Unlike the hectic spring schedule that forced O’Brien to juggle his Breeders’ Cup duties with Cup Eve travel to Melbourne, the Irish trainer has been able to directly supervise Al Riffa’s final preparations for Sunday’s 2400-metre Group 1 — one of four elite-level races on Hong Kong International Race Day.
Al Riffa arrives off a Group 1 breakthrough in the Irish St Leger (2816m) at the Curragh in September, followed by a seventh-place finish in the Melbourne Cup (3200m) on November 4.
“He has trained on well since being here and I am happy with him,” O’Brien said.
“I think it is a very competitive renewal of the race.”
The historical angle comes via the only two horses to complete the Melbourne-to-Hong Kong feature double — Dunaden in 2011 and Highland Reel in 2015.
“17 horses have come through the Melbourne Spring Carnival and then travelled on to Hong Kong to compete on this day,” Racing and Sports expert Simon Dinopoulos said.
“Two of them have won and Al Riffa is among the better chances especially how open this edition of the Vase is.
“Horses coming out of the Cup have a good record in the Vase and his form at the trip says he’s one of the major players.”
Al Riffa will be partnered by Dylan Browne McMonagle, who arrived in Hong Kong during the week before commencing a short-term riding licence that extends into early 2026.
“He’s got a lot of class,” McMonagle said of Al Riffa.
“He’s a very straightforward horse and responds really well under pressure.
“You can put him wherever he wants to, he has a good kick.”
O’Brien also noted that drawing barrier two gives McMonagle flexibility and makes the tactical approach clearer.
“I think that makes the tactics on the day straightforward,” he added.
Punters comparing odds for the Hong Kong Vase can check Australia’s top bookmakers at this betting sites guide.