U.S. hopefuls are second fiddles in Hong Kong

Rebel Rebel has impressed onlookers in his morning work at Sha Tin this week as he prepares for Sunday's Hong Kong Mile, while Fast Parade has kept a low profile en route to his meeting with Australia's star sprinter, Takeover Target, in the Hong Kong Sprint.

But Rebel Rebel and Fast Parade, the two American representatives, are likely to take a backseat on Hong Kong International Races Day, which features four Group 1 races worth a total of $8 million. Meanwhile, the performances of Ouija Board and Pride will decide the filly and mare world championship.

The two sensational mares will not go head to head. Ouija Board will defend her title in the 1 1/2-mile Hong Kong Vase while Pride will try to improve on her second-place finish in last year's 1 1/4-mile Hong Kong Cup.

If one of them wins, it will be difficult to deny that one the crown as the world's best filly or mare. If they both win, the title will be up for grabs.

"She's thriving out here," said Robin Trevor-Jones, assistant to trainer Ed Dunlop, about Ouija Board, winner of the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf. "She's fit as a fiddle."

Alain Royer-Dupre expressed confidence in Pride, his 6-year-old Arc runner-up and Champion Stakes winner. "She gets better with age," he said.

Both the Richard Dutrow Jr.-trained Rebel Rebel and the Peter Miller-trained Fast Parade have been cantering, with both expected to blow out Thursday. Edgar Prado will ride both Sunday.

* Olivier Peslier won Wednesday night's Cathay Pacific International Jockeys Championship at Happy Valley. Peslier outscored Glenn Boss and Andreas Suborics, 14-12, despite his mount in the third leg being scratched.