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The superb effort of Indigenous in the Japan Cup has earned the Irish-bred stayer the highest rating yet recorded by a Hong Kong-trained horse in the annual International Classifications.

 Indigenous, who beat home Montjeu and former Epsom Derby winner High-Rise in the 2,400-metre race, has been assessed on 119, four points higher than last year when he won the then International Vase.

 The International Classifications were released around the racing world yesterday and Hong Kong fared well, having a total of six horses involved, two more than in 1998.

 Inaugural Hong Kong Sprint winner Fairy King Prawn, who has never raced outside the SAR, was rated on 115 along with Resfa, third in the Hong Kong Mile to Docksider (121), and Johan Cruyff.

 Housemaster, who takes his place in Sunday's quality Stewards' Cup, retains his rating of 117. The Ivan Allan-trained galloper earned the mark when finishing fourth in the Epsom Derby.

 Oriental Express, rated 113, remains in the select Classifications.

 The Allan-trained Indigenous failed to win the Hong Kong Vase two weeks after his magnificent Tokyo exploit but his fifth-placing did not affect his rating.

 Senior handicappers from the major racing countries including Hong Kong's Ciaran Kennelly, who also represented Ireland, deliberated at two meetings before coming up with the final and official list.

 Said Kennelly: 'It is never an easy job because there are so many variables. Indigenous beat Borgia in Japan and then Borgia comes here and beats Indigenous. It happens all the time in the big races and you must get one horse and line them up through that.

 'This has been a very interesting exercise and I just hope it has not come too soon.

 'It is not that it is that complex but it can take getting used to. I am still trying to get to grips with Hong Kong where you could have a horse rated 87 in Class Two and one seven points lower in Class One!'  The mighty Jim And Tonic, who won the $10 million Hong Kong Cup last month, has earned his highest rating of 123.

 It is also the highest mark ever given to the winner of a Hong Kong race. Topping the 23rd annual International Classifications are two outstanding horses in Daylami and Montjeu.

 Daylami was the inaugural winner of the Emirates World Series Racing Championship, taking three of the legs along the way.

 He won the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot in late July and then bolted in at Leopardstown in the Irish Champion Stakes.

 His final racecourse appearance was spectacular as he won the Breeders' Cup Turf at Gulfstream Park in Florida.

 Montjeu captured the French and Irish Derbys and then the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Both horses are rated on 135.

Don't miss Racing Post 



Indigenous leads way as Hong Kong horses hit new heights