Miss Andretti meets Sacred Kingdom in Hong Kong Sprint

The blistering Sacred Kingdom has become a Hong Kong phenomenon (Photo courtesy of Hong Kong Jockey Club)

Sunday's $1.6 million Hong Kong Sprint (HK-G1) features a captivating plot --

a young upstart bids to defend his home turf from an acclaimed international

invader. In this case, budding Hong Kong superstar SACRED KINGDOM (Encosta de

Lago) meets Australian wonder mare MISS ANDRETTI (Ihtiram). Adding further spice

to their Sha Tin showdown, Sacred Kingdom is favorably drawn in post 6, while

Miss Andretti must overcome post 12 as she navigates approximately six furlongs

going right-handed for the first time.

The once-beaten Sacred Kingdom elicited comparisons to the legendary Silent

Witness when taking his first five starts, capped by a course record-equaling

score at this course and distance in May. Last time out in the International

Sprint Trial (HK-G2), Sacred Kingdom smashed that mark by blazing the about six

furlongs in 1:07.50, despite Gerald Mosse gearing him down late. The Ricky Yiu-trained

four year-old will try to show that same brilliance in his Group 1 debut.

Miss Andretti was recently honored as Australia's Horse of the Year after

completing an unprecedented sweep of the Manikato S. (Aus-G1), Lightning S.

(Aus-G1), Australia S. (Aus-G1) and Newmarket H. (Aus-G1). As if that impressive

haul were not enough, the Lee Freedman mare raided Royal Ascot and came away

with a decisive triumph in the King's Stand S. (Eng-G2). A five-time course

record-breaker, Miss Andretti is exiting a score in The Age Classic (Aus-G1) at

Flemington.

Miss Andretti presents a picture of concentrated power (Photo courtesy of Hong Kong Jockey Club)

"Well.... ideally we would have liked (post) 5," co-owner David Mueller

admitted. "We got 12, which I fancy is still better than 1, where she might have got cluttered up. She does like galloping room. We're happy to be drawn outside Sacred Kingdom,

and she does like to stalk her rivals, which she can certainly do from an outside

gate. I guess if she'd drawn 12 of 20, rather than 12 of 13, you wouldn't think it

so bad."

"I

don't think the draw will be a problem," Freedman said. "There's speed on the inside, and that

sometimes can make it tough for those drawn down on the rails. Anyway, a good

jockey should be able to overcome it inside a furlong."

Regular rider Craig Newitt will have that unenviable task on Sunday.

Somewhat overlooked in the build-up so far has been reigning titleholder

ABSOLUTE CHAMPION (Marauding), who set a new course record while storming to a 4

1/4-length decision in the 2006 Sprint. Sidelined for seven months after

undergoing surgery earlier this year, the David Hall charge has been rounding

into form, with a fourth-place finish in his reappearance in the Premier Bowl

(HK-G3) and a runner-up performance in the International Sprint Trial. On that

occasion, Absolute Champion was spotting Sacred Kingdom five pounds, but on

Sunday, they will square off at level weights.

"I've been pleased with both runs this season," Hall said of Absolute

Champion. "He hit the line

strongly last time behind Sacred Kingdom, and though he was well beaten, we have

walked away from that result thinking we have a five-pound pull at the weights and a little

extra bit of fitness up our sleeve."

Hall is also encouraged by his drawing post 3.

"It's a pretty important barrier at the

1200 (meters)," Hall said. "There's a short run to the first turn, and I'd rather be drawn in. I'm happy with

(post) 3. It's taken the thinking away for us. Our horse will be happy wherever

he lands from 3, while I think the Miss Andretti camp will have plenty of

thinking to do now."