An Australian-bred contingent of 8 runners is set to take on Hong Kong’s famous race day at Sha Tin on Sunday.

The International meeting has been the scene of so many memorable Australian performances.

Since Monopolize won the Hong Kong Bowl in consecutive years in the mid 1990s, the Australian presence at this meeting has been profound, either by Australian-trained runners or those bred in Australia and exported to other countries.

“The aim of every breeder is to produce a horse capable of measuring up to international standard and no meeting has better showcased Australian talent than the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s international day,” Aushorse Chairman Antony Thompson said.

“The record of having the first 11 winners of the Hong Kong International Sprint is one of the most remarkable sequences in world racing, given the magnetic effect International Day has had to all corners of the globe.”

While the Aus-bred winning sequence in the Sprint ended last year, with Rocket Man going down narrowly, no less than five runners will line up on Sunday endeavouring to restore the order.

Two time winner Sacred Kingdom (Encosta De Lago) is back for a fourth tilt at the race, with his most recent attempt being a third to JJ The Jet Plane and Rocket Man 12 months ago.

The now eight-year-old showed he still had a zest for racing with a first up second to Entrapment in the Group 3 Sprint Trophy in October.

Rocket Man (Viscount) has been a star on the international scene this year, winning in Dubai and then the KrisFlyer Sprint at his home track of Kranji.  The winner of 18 races in 23 starts warmed up for this with a comfortable victory on the all weather at Kranji last month.

The John Size trained Entrapment (Halo Homewrecker) won his first eight starts, culminating with his defeat of Sacred Kingdom, before two narrow recent defeats, the latest when second in the G2 Jockey Club Sprint.

Immediately behind Entrapment in that race were Admiration (Encosta De Lago) and Rich Unicorn (Danehill Dancer), winners of 12 races between them.

The (Aus) breds also feature in the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile, with three runners engaged.

Flying Blue (Piccolo) and Fair Trade (Danewin) put themselves in contention for the race with a close up third and fourth in the G2 Jockey Club Mile last month.

Sichuan Success (Fastnet Rock) rounds out the trio, having been seen most recently when fifth in the G2 Sha Tin Trophy after being blocked for a run and rated most unlucky.