Melbourne Cup Trio Bound For Hong Kong Showdown

The Melbourne Cup may be over for another year but the strength of the race still has a very real chance of being increased.

After the closest finish in the history of the event the two front runners look set to have their rematch when Duanden and Red Cadeaux face for a second time in Hong Kong.

In an even more exciting twist fourth place getter and 2010 Melbourne Cup champion Americain could join them on a flight to the Asian racing capital.

Americain will race in the 2011 Zipping Classic at Sandown before a decision is made on his future plans.

The race they are all headed for is the Hong Kong Vase, the event Americain travelled to last year, finishing third.

Paul Bloodworth from Racing Victoria says while Americain is still fifty fifty, the other two have been confirmed.

“The good news that we’ve heard in the last few days is that Red Cadeaux and Dunaden are going to Hong Kong to compete in the Vase,” he said.

“It’ll be a good test to see where that form lines up against some of the best in the world.”

He says based on the efforts of Americain last year they should all be in with a genuine winning hope.

“Americian went to the vase and was super competitive, ran third, I’d expect them both to go there and run very well,” he said.

As for the 2010 champ, he looks a near certainty in a weaker than normal Zipping Classic where he receives a big weight turnaround from the Melbourne Cup.

“He’s running in the Zipping Classic, he’s going to meet all those horses on level weights,” he said.

“After that they’re making a decision on whether to go to Hong Kong or not.”

The Hong Kong Vase looks red hot this year with other internationals headlined by European runner Snow Fairy.

There could also be some Australian horses at the meeting should they receive a special invite in the coming days.

Among those in contention are Atomic Force and Shootoff.

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