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Aesop’s Fables set to turn the page

For the first time, Ballydoyle will have a representative in each of the Longines Group 1 Hong Kong International Races on Sunday at Sha Tin.

Trainer : AIDAN O'BRIEN.
Trainer : AIDAN O'BRIEN. Picture: PA

Multiple Group 1 winner Luxembourg will be flying the flag for the team in the Hong Kong Cup, while successful dual Group 1 filly Warm Heart will be racing over her favourite distance of a mile-and-a-half in the Vase whilst Classic placed three-year-old colt, Cairo, is set to take his place in the Mile.

Making up the four runners is Aesop's Fables who will be taking on not only the domestic and Japanese sprinters in the Longines Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint (6f), but also outstanding British sprinting mare Highfield Princess.

Aesop's Fables will have to produce a career-best if he is to be competitive in this race. Winner of two of his twelve race starts, he is yet to win over the six-furlongs and both victories were as a two-year-old over 5½f and 7f.

However, his past two starts have produced career bests being placed in two Group 1 races, both over 5f at Longchamp in the Prix de l'Abbaye (behind the reopposing Highfield Princess) and Breeders Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita. In both races, he settled midfield and produced strong finishing performances.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien explained the current tactical strategy:

"He's been progressive all the time. We put the blinkers on before France, we were delighted there and then he ran a stormer in America.

"He's a big horse, maybe he just took a bit of time to get the hang of it.

"His best two runs were over five furlongs, but he looks like he's been coming home well in both runs. There's every chance he should be ok over six, but we'll learn a lot more about him."


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