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International Races hard hit by withdrawals

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IT'S all change for the International Vase on December 10 but Hong Kong racegoers now look certain to see brilliant British champion jockey Frankie Dettori again in action at Sha Tin.

The Breeders' Cup and other late-season Group One contests in the Northern Hemisphere have taken their expected toll of early International Races entries from that part of the world with the 2,400-metre Vase the hardest hit.

Out go Freedom Cry and Presenting with trainer John Gosden stating recently that Tamure was highly unlikely to run. All three horses had placed behind the brilliant Lammtarra, Europe's Horse of the Year.

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Exciting Coral Eclipse runner-up Singspiel currently stands his ground and does look likely to make the trip for trainer Michael Stoute and leading owner Sheik Mohammad.

'When I left to come to Hong Kong, Singspiel was still en route to Hong Kong and Michael is keen to run him. And I think he would take a lot of beating in the Vase, particularly as it is cutting up already,' said Irish champion Mick Kinane, who partnered Singspiel in his second placing behind the brilliant Halling in the Eclipse, and who has the ride in the Vase.

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Clive Brittain's Needle Gun has already been invited as the first two Vase reserves, Riyadian and Kaldounevess, have also dropped out.

The all-conquering, Dubai-based Godolphin operation will now only be represented in the featured Group Two International Cup over 1,800 metres.

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