November 18, 2013 - Local star, Gold Fun, pressed his claims to be amongst the market front-runners for the forthcoming Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin on December 8 when completing a quick hattrick of successes with a brave effort in the Group 2 Jockey Club Mile under regular pilot, Olivier Doleuze.

The ex-Irish son of La Vie de Colori has improved by leaps and bounds over the last year having landed the Group 1 Hong Kong Classic Mile at Sha Tin in February before two narrow defeats over trips in excess of his favoured mile.

Given a summer break by trainer, Richard Gibson, the four-year-old has well and truly thrown down a marker for his international rivals to aim at by landing his last three races, showing a willing attitude each and every time.

Following his latest success, Gold Fun was cut to 3/1 second-favourite in the racing betting for the big race (from 5/1), behind star French miler, Moonlight Cloud (9/4). Cloud appears set to take her chance in what will be an outstanding contest with the likes of Qipco 1000 Guineas winner, Sky Lantern (6/1), amongst a host of top-notch performers pencilled in for the race.

Moonlight Cloud, winner of 12 of her 19 career starts (including six at Group 1 level), is expected to retire after the Hong Kong contest, ensuring there will be plenty of emotion and sentiment in the air, especially if the superb miler goes out on a winning note.

Newly crowned champion, British trainer, Richard Hannon, resisted the temptation to run Sky Lantern in the Breeders’ Cup Mile, mainly because his filly’s owner, Mr Keswick, has strong connections at the former British colony.

Reports from the racing live betting pundits suggest that the attractive grey three-year-old remains in top form and is expected to give a very good account of herself on her first outing in the Far East.