Highland Reel in good shape for Kong Kong Vase defence

Highland Reel cantered under regular work rider Davy Bergin at Sha Tin on Monday

QIPCO British Champions Series star Highland Reel limbered up for his defence of the Hong Kong Vase on Sunday with a gentle workout at Sha Tin on Monday morning.

This year’s King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner, who will seek to become only the third dual winner of the Longines Hong Kong Vase in the race’s 22-year history, cantered under regular work rider Davy Bergin.

O’Brien’s travelling head lad Pat Keating confirmed the horse’s wellbeing: “He’s travelled well, and everything is good. We’ll just keep him ticking over and freshen him up.”

His opposition in the Hong Kong Vase will include Big Orange, the dual Goodwood Cup winner, who finished tenth in the Melbourne Cup before finishing a close third in the Zipping Classic on his latest start.

Big Orange breezed around Sha Tin’s all-weather track under usual rider Gillian Dolman, while Signs Of Blessing, the Diamond Jubilee Stakes runner-up, who will contest Longines Hong Kong Sprint, enjoyed a spin under work rider Wilfred Conart.