After gallant Japan Cup run filly can add Vase to CV Ouija Board, one of world's best stayers over the last two years, can further enhance her bulging CV by claiming today's $14 million Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase over 2,400 metres at Sha Tin. The Ed Dunlop-trained filly, who has landed Group One victories in England, Ireland and America, comes into the event as the fresh horse on the scene after injury delayed her start to racing this year. The Cape Cross four-year-old returned to her best when claiming the Princess Royal Stakes over 2,400m at Newmarket in September before finishing second to Intercontinental in her bid to win the fillies and mares Breeders' Cup for the second year in a row. Ouija Board rounded off her campaign for Hong Kong by running a gallant fifth to Alkaased in the Japan Cup three weeks ago after making a dash at the leaders shortly after turning for home. It is the same path Phoenix Reach took last year, running sixth to Zenno Rob Roy in the Japan Cup before taking the Vase, and it's a fact that has not eluded Dunlop. 'Phoenix Reach finished in a similar position in Japan before coming here and winning the Vase, so I'm hoping it's a good omen,' he said. Dunlop gave long thought to running Ouija Board in the shorter Hong Kong Cup but rests easy with his decision to take on the likes of Westerner in the Vase. 'I had a think about both races and got many differing theories on which was more suitable,' he said. 'Her best trip is probably 2,200m but she's very adaptable and has speed.' Ouija Board's path to the Vase was in contrast to her main rivals Westerner and Cherry Mix. Trainer Ellie Lellouche aborted plans to run in the Japan Cup after Westerner finished second to Hurricane Run in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, preferring to concentrate on the Vase, while Cherry Mix made a hit-and-run visit to Italy to lift the Gran Premio del Jockey Club in impressive fashion after leading all the way. Lellouche, chasing his third Vase after winning the second running of the event in 1995 with Partipral and again with Vallee Enchantee in 2003, believes Westerner is a superior horse. 'His condition is excellent and he is the best horse I have brought for the race,' he said. Although considered by most a superior horse over more ground, Lellouche doesn't subscribe to the theory. 'The course is very well laid out and will not cause Westerner any problems and he showed in the Arc he is a high class horse at 2,400m,' he said. Godolphin-owned Cherry Mix had been struggling to regain the form that took him to second placing in last year's Arc behind Bago before his dominant Italian win. Though he is clearly back in form, the grey Linamix colt appears to prefer rain-affected conditions. Trainer John Hammond is expecting in-form mare Sweet Stream to improve on her fourth to Phoenix Reach last year but believes a decent speed is crucial to her chances. 'The pace didn't suit her at all last year but having a look at the field, it's likely to be run at a better tempo this time, which will help,' he said. 'She's a lot stronger this year.' Since her gallant effort last year, Sweet Steam has only raced two times for as many wins and switched to the Hong Kong trip after Melbourne Cup plans were cancelled. The best of the local contingent appears to be John Moore-trained Best Gift. He has performed well at his only two starts over 2,400m, finishing fourth to Saturn off a very slow speed in the Queen Mother Memorial in May before finishing second to Vengeance Of Rain in the Group One Champions & Chater Cup two weeks later. He has not put a foot wrong this season in his only three starts, looking an unlucky third first-up then returning to his brilliant best taking the Sha Tin Trophy 1,600m on October 16. It was a more dour performance when third behind Vengeance Of Rain in the International Cup Trial (2,000m) last start, indicating that a return to today's distance will be to his liking.