Michael Stoute has conceded Linngari will need a slice of luck to end his career on a high before retiring to stud in Sunday's highly competitive Hong Kong Cup.
Run over 2000m of Sha Tin turf at the weekend, the dual Group One winner will come up against Mike de Kock's Breeders' Cup Turf runner-up Eagle Mountain, five-time Group One winner Viva Pataca and triple Group One winning filly Lush Lashes.
Stoute had the chance to take a close look at Eagle Mountain at Santa Anita in October as the four-year-old by Rock of Gibraltar was outstayed by his Conduit in the final 200m.
Linngari will start from a wide berth in stall 12, with Eagle Mountain and Viva Pataca strongly drawn in five and six respectively and Lush Lashes out in gate 10 for Jim Bolger.
‘He is a very professional traveller. He is badly drawn on the outside so we are not too happy about that because on his form there are three horses in the race who are better than him, so he needs a bit of luck to get into the frame,’ Stoute told PA Sport.
‘He has a wonderful temperament and this is his final race so we are hoping for the best.
‘Viva Pataca, Eagle Mountain and Lush Lashes are the ones to beat. I think Eagle Mountain has a great chance; he may be better at a mile and a quarter after watching him at Santa Anita.’
Champion jockey Ryan Moore only arrived on Thursday, but took his chance to breeze Linngari yesterday morning on the all-weather track and is upbeat despite the strong field assembled for the $2.6million race.
‘There is no point worrying about the draw. He seems well, well travelled and I am sure he will run his race,’ Moore told PA Sport.
‘It's a strong race, you should be worried about Eagle Mountain, Viva Pataca and Lush Lashes wherever they are running. It's a hard race although it would be nice for him to go out on a high in a big race.’
