Luso bids for repeat

Clive Brittain's Luso will be out to repeat his 1996 success in the Group Two Hong Kong International Vase, over 12 furlongs, at Sha Tin tomorrow.

Michael Kinane's mount, drawn 12, has looked on very good terms with himself and is expected to run a very big race.

Paul Cole's Posidonas (Richard Quinn) also has claims on his best form in what looks a strong European challenge.

European interests are also represented by the German pair, Protektor (fourth last year) and Oxalagu, the classier of the duo.

Oxalagu has tasted defeat just once this season and the Group One winner looks to be the main barrier between Luso and victory.

British interests in the Group Two Hong Kong International Cup (nine furlongs) are catered for by Mark Johnston's Bijou d'Inde (Jason Weaver) and Roger Charlton's Wixim (Kinane).

Frankie Dettori's mount, Godolphin's Annus Mirabilis, third here in a Group One event in the spring, may, however, do best of the visitors.

The home-team are well armed in this event and their top players look to be a rejuvenated Smashing Pumpkin and the Irish Derby fourth Johan Cruyff.

Smashing Pumpkin has won both his starts in good style in Group race company since the Hong Kong season got underway in September.

John Gosden's duo, Decorated Hero (Dettori) and Russian Revival (Kinane), and Sir Mark Prescott's Wizard King (Wendyll Woods), make for a formidable presence in the Group Two Hong Kong International Bowl (seven furlongs).

Paul Carberry produced a masterful riding performance at Doncaster yesterday to coax Green Green Desert to victory in the Doncaster Racecourse Sponsorship Club Handicap Chase.The six-year-old, trained by Oliver Sherwood, has bundles of ability but is often disinclined to use it. But Carberry ensured Green Green Desert had little chance of throwing in the towel.He waited until the last fence before driving the gelding alongside Monnaie Forte. Under Carberry's persuasion Green Green Desert moved ahead on the run-in and though he didn't find a great deal was a neck too good for his rival.