Big names arrive in Hong Kong

Dylan Thomas arrived in Hong Kong early Tuesday morning for the 1 1/2-mile Hong Vase at Sha Tin on Dec. 9.

Forced out of last Sunday's Japan Cup because of lingering traces of equine viral arteritis induced by a vaccination he received while at Monmouth Park for the Breeders' Cup, Dylan Thomas must still pass muster with Hong Kong Jockey Club veterinarians before he can run in the $1.8 million Vase.

Meanwhile, Miss Andretti, named Australia's Horse of the Year on Monday for winning five Group 1 races in Australia and a Group 2 in England during the Southern Hemisphere 2006-2007 season, has settled in at Sha Tin in anticipation of her clash with Absolute Champion, Sacred Kingdom, and Benbaun in the Hong Kong Sprint.

Sky Conqueror, however, has been declared out of the Hong Kong Vase by trainer Darwin Banach. The withdrawal means North America will be without representation at the Hong Kong International Races. Sky Conqueror will be replaced in the Vase by the Andre Fabre-trained Kocab, giving Europe a total of 22 entries on the big Sha Tin card.