The Cox Plate-Hong Kong Cup double, which Romantic Warrior pioneered in 2023, could again be in play this year, with more than half the field for this Saturday’s weight-for-age blockbuster at Moonee Valley nominated for the Sha Tin showpiece in December.

Connections of Group One Cox Plate (2,040m) runners Via Sistina, Prognosis and Docklands have indicated they will seriously consider a tilt at the Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m), while Mr Brightside and Royal Patronage also hold entries for the HK$40 million feature.

That quintet are among 191 horses entered for the Longines Hong Kong International Races on December 8, with 58 Group One winners among them.

Also among the notable international nominations for the Cup are star French trio Facteur Cheval, Calandagan and Goliath, nine Aidan O’Brien-trained gallopers headlined by Auguste Rodin and two elite-level victors out of the United States – Far Bridge and Gold Phoenix.

As usual, Japan lead the way with 55 entries overall. Three-time Sha Tin runner Prognosis is joined by Liberty Island among the country’s 25 Cup entries and Shin Emperor and Stellenbosch feature among 26 Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) nominations from the Land of the Rising Sun.

May’s Group One Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) victor Rebel’s Romance and reigning Group One Melbourne Cup (3,200m) champion Without A Fight are also considered chances to compete in the HK$24 million Vase.

The Hong Kong Mile will have a new winner, with no Golden Sixty or California Spangle among the entries for the first time in four years, and Japan’s Namur and Australia’s Antino look among the most likely internationals to line up in the prestigious HK$36 million contest.

Lugal could target the Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m) after taking down Victor The Winner and Mugen in last month’s Group One Sprinters Stakes (1,200m) at Nakayama, while two-time Group One Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (1,200m) winner Khaadem and US speedsters Cogburn, Howard Wolowitz, Isivunguvungu and Nobals are also in the mix for the HK$26 million dash.

“We are beyond pleased with the entries for the 2024 Longines Hong Kong International Races. Hong Kong’s very best horses and many more from around the world are nominated, setting the scene for yet another world-class day of sporting action,” said Jockey Club executive director of racing Andrew Harding.

“We are very encouraged by the support we have received from our international friends around the world.

“We are confident that this year’s list has the right mix to deliver another memorable Hong Kong International Races – which boasts a record purse of HK$126 million for the four Group One races.”

Headlining the local contingent is Romantic Warrior – who will chase a third Cup success on the bounce – while Group One-winning milers Beauty Eternal and Voyage Bubble are joined by up-and-coming superstar Galaxy Patch in the 1,600m feature.

California Spangle, Victor The Winner and Invincible Sage are poised to chase more Group One glory in the Sprint, but they’ll have to beat the white-hot Ka Ying Rising.