Post shouldn't hurt Kip Deville

Kip Deville drew wide in post 12 for his tilt at the $2 million Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin on Sunday, but that outside post should not pose a problem for the 4-1 favorite, as there is a long straight run of four furlongs before the first and only turn on the right-handed turf course.

Cornelio Velasquez, who won a race at Happy Valley on Wednesday night as part of the Cathay Pacific International Jockeys Challenge, will take his regular place in the saddle for trainer Rick Dutrow Jr.

Awesome Gem, a son of Awesome Again trained by Craig Dollase, drew post 3 for the Mile, but he has been placed on the watch list by Hong Kong Jockey Club veterinarians. He, along with European Sprint entries Abbadjinn and Moorhouse Lad, were deemed by the vets to be showing mild signs of stress since arriving in Hong Kong. While chief vet Dr. C.M. Riggs said that all three should be able to race on Sunday, their conditions will continue to be monitored.

Out of Control, trained by Bobby Frankel, drew the worst possible post on the four-race Hong Kong International Raceday card when he wound up widest of all in 14 for the

1 1/4-mile Hong Kong Cup. There is just a 1 1/2-furlong run to the first turn in 10-furlong turf races at Sha Tin, meaning that Garrett Gomez will have to hustle him from the get-go if he is to attain his usual early tracking position.

Neil Drysdale has signed up big-race specialist Olivier Peslier for the ride aboard Artiste Royal, a

7-year-old son of Danehill, in the Cup. Artiste Royal, seventh in last year's Japan Cup, will start from post 2. The two favorites for the $2.58 million Cup, Eagle Mountain and Viva Pataca, drew posts 5 and 6.

The draw should not be a factor in the one-turn, six-furlong Hong Kong Sprint, as Australian speedster Apache Cat drew post 2 while European sprint champ Marchand d'Or, who does his running from behind, drew post 4.

Doctor Dino, the 5-2 favorite for the 1 1/2-mile Hong Kong Vase, will break from post 12, prompting trainer Richard Gibson to say, "I wouldn't have picked that one. It leaves the jockey fewer tactical options."

That jockey, Peslier, was not concerned, however, citing the likely slow early pace and claiming that "12 is my lucky number."

Muhannak, fresh from victory in the Breeders' Cup Marathon, drew post 4 in the Vase as he goes in search of his first win on turf since August 2007.