Battle Won arrives in Hong Kong

Battle Won arrived in good order at Sha Tin Racecourse on Thursday for his Dec. 12 date in the $1.28 million Hong Kong Sprint.

Trainer Charles Simon said he was optimistic about Battle Won's chances in the five-furlong Group 1 dash, knowing full well that the Sprint will be the most competitive race on the Hong Kong International Race Day card.

"We could be walking into the lion's den," Simon said, referring to a field that includes the undefeated Silent Witness, Japanese sprint champ Calstone Light O, and the first two finishers from the Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp, Var and The Tatling. "But there are not that many opportunities for turf sprinters in America at the best of times, certainly not at this time of year.

"Then you have to consider the prize money. If he finishes fourth, it will be more than what he earned for winning the Woodford County Stakes last time. We've got to take it on."

Simon has booked six-time British champion rider Kieren Fallon to ride Battle Won in the Sprint. Fallon has also jumped off Warrsan, a recent flop in the Japan Cup, in the Hong Kong Vase, opting to ride Simonas, aboard whom he finished second to Sulamani in the Canadian International.

- Rhein Kraft will attempt to make her record 3 for 3 in the $1.12 million Grade 1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies, Japan's premiere one-mile race for 2-year-old fillies at Hanshin Racecourse on Sunday. A Japanese-bred daughter of End Sweep, Rhein Kraft beat rivals Monroe Blond and Liverpool when she won seven-furlong Grade 3 Fantasy Stakes on Nov. 7 by four lengths. Undefeated Grade 3 winner Ambroise and the improving Sunday Silence filly Daring Heart are the main threats.