Eagle Way found racing against Highland Reel to be too difficult last month, finishing eighth in the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong. Many horses found racing against the international superstar Highland Reel to be too tough in recent years. In his own right, Eagle Way has a leading place in Hong Kong’s stakes on turf, and will start as the 133-pound highweight in Wednesday’s Group 3 January Cup at about 1 1/8 miles on turf at Happy Valley Racecourse. Eagle Way, who will be ridden by Zac Purton, will spot his rivals from six to 20 pounds. The January Cup is part of an eight-race program at Happy Valley that begins at 6:15 a.m., Eastern. Post time for the January Cup is 8:45 a.m., Eastern. :: Hong Kong: Free PPs, picks, and analysis Trained by John Moore, Eagle Way is winless in four starts since the Group 3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup at 1 1/2 miles at Sha Tin last April. Eagle Way was later third in the Group 1 Champions and Chater Cup at Sha Tin a month later. Eagle Way, a 5-year-old Australian-bred gelding by More Than Ready, won the Group 1 Queensland Derby in Australia in November, 2016, his final start in that country. Among the other runners in the $383,597 January Cup, Romantic Touch, Marvel Hero, and The Golden Age will attract attention. Romantic Touch is second in the weights, at 127 pounds. He was third in the Group 3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse at 1 1/8 miles on turf at Sha Tin on Nov. 5. Top French jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot, riding in Hong Kong until late February, has the mount for the first time. Marvel Hero is winless in his last nine starts, but won three of his four previous races. Marvel Hero, who will carry 123 pounds, will be ridden by leading rider Joao Moreira, whose mounts almost always attract support. The Golden Age faces a class test in the January Cup, having won his last two starts in lesser company. A 4-year-old French-bred, The Golden Age was fourth in the Group 1 Prix Jean Luc-Lagardere at Chantilly Racecourse in France in 2016 when racing under the name Kontrastat. Horses frequently have their names changed when they are sent to Hong Kong. The Golden Age, who will be ridden by Matthew Chadwick, will carry 118 pounds. Both of the recent wins have been at Happy Valley.