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A brief look at prospective major contenders for the HKIR races on Sunday.

LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m)

Five-time G1 winner Exultant will look to recapture his Hong Kong Vase crown after letting it slip last year to Japan's Glory Vase. Hong Kong's Horse of the Year snared a further two G1 last term, and after proving himself as one of the world's top stayers he will face a compact but tough line-up in his bid to reign supreme once again in this staying contest.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained Mogul was a dominant G1 Grand Prix de Paris winner two starts ago beating In Swoop, who subsequently franked the form by finishing second in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

French raider Royal Julius has proven himself a solid globetrotter with a win in last year's Bahrain International Trophy and is also a winner of Italy's G2 Premio Presidente della Repubblica the year prior.

Ho Ho Khan, Chefano and the highly progressive Columbus County add to the home challenge, while Playa Del Puente, the 2020 BMW Hong Kong Derby runner-up to Golden Sixty, will race beyond 2000m for the first time.

LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m)

A victory at Group 1 level has so far eluded Hot King Prawn, who claimed his second G2 Jockey Club Sprint last month to stamp himself as the local brigade's leading hope. But, he will face off with another grey, Classique Legend, who has arrived in Hong Kong to join the yard of championship leader Caspar Fownes with an exceptional career outlined.

One of the most intriguing international challengers is Singapore speedster Inferno, who has lit up Kranji Racecourse with eight wins from nine starts, including two at SIN G1 level. The Holy Roman Emperor gelding travels to Hong Kong as the international sprinter with the least racing experience.

Also among the international trio of entries is Godolphin's Tower Of London, who travels from Japan as the winner of last year's G1 Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama. Japan is also represented by Danon Smash, who snared second to Gran Alegria in this year's Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama.

Among the local brigade is young gun Computer Patch, a G3 winner for trainer Tony Cruz, as well as 2019 G2 Sprint Cup victor Rattan, who finished a fast-closing third to Hot King Prawn in the Jockey Club Sprint.

LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m)

After becoming the fourth horse in Hong Kong racing history to win 10 consecutive races, Golden Sixty will look to secure his first G1 in this year's Hong Kong Mile, but after sweeping aside the local opposition, the son of Medaglia d'Oro faces his biggest test to date: last year's winner, Admire Mars, who is back to defend his crown.

Beauty Generation, a two-time Hong Kong Mile winner, returns following a short freshen-up for new trainer David Hayes, while Ireland's Aidan O'Brien fields G1 Breeders' Cup Mile winner Order Of Australia and fellow Irishman Ken Condon is represented by French G1 winner Romanised.

In addition, the local brigade features Waikuku, who returns first-up aiming to emulate former John Size galloper Glorious Days, who recorded a famous Mile success in 2013 on his first run of the season. Southern Legend who got the better over Beauty Generation in last season's G1 FWD Champions Mile, is also included, while solid performer and G1 placegetter Ka Ying Star features.

LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m)

World superstar Magical heads to Sha Tin with a record of seven G1s from 27 starts having raced in 20 Group 1 races around the world and she will look to become an eight-time Group 1 winner.

The Galileo mare heads to Hong Kong's big track off the back of a close second in the G1 LONGINES Breeders' Cup Turf. Two starts prior to that she tallied her most recent G1 success in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, where she got the better of a sustained battle with current LONGINES World's Best Racehorse Ghaiyyath.

Japan's Win Bright returns to his favourite hunting ground as an undefeated dual G1 winner at Sha Tin after claiming Hong Kong's Spring-Autumn G1 double: the FWD QEII Cup and 2019 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup.

Japan's assault also features Danon Premium and Normcore. Another of Europe's hopes comes in the form of Skalleti, who split Addeybb and Magical for second in this year's G1 Champion Stakes at Ascot.

The local brigade is boosted by an invigorated Furore. The 2019 Hong Kong Classic Mile and BMW Hong Kong Derby hero has won his last two races at G3 and G2 level, both times beating reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year Exultant.