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Lellouche Bullish Over Planteur Hong Kong Cup Chance

French trainer Elie Lellouche was in optimistic mood ahead of the bid by his classy colt Planteur to land Sunday's valuable Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin racecourse.

Planteur (racing odds of 6/1) took part in morning exercise on Thursday morning at Sha Tin and impressed most observers when easily coming upsides his pacemaker Board Meeting, before striding clear with the minimum of fuss. Last seen in action in a rough race for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp at the start of October when finishing out of the frame before disqualified after hampering Fame And Glory, connections have now accepted that 12 furlongs stretches the stamina of the son of Danehill Dancer and believe that the 10 furlongs of Sunday’s Group 1 contest should suit their charge ideally.

A runner-up in both the French Derby and the Grand Prix de Paris earlier this year, (having previously beaten the smart Rewilding in Group 2 company at Longchamp in the spring), Lellouche believes that Planteur is now in the form of his life and will run a very big race. It was in 2003 that the Frenchman last tasted success at this prestige Hong Kong meeting when his Vallee Enchantee triumphed in the Vase.

Last year’s winner Vision D’Etat (generally a 5/2 favourite in the horse betting odds) also appeared to be in good order ahead of what will be his last race before retiring to stud. Although he only did a gentle canter, his trainer Eric Libaud observed that the five-year-old is in much the same form as he was 12 months ago. The third of a very strong French challenge for the Cup is the Jean-Claude Rouget trained filly Stacelita (best priced 12/1), runner-up on Arc day to Lily Of The Valley in the Group 1 Prix de l’Opera, and a four-time winner at Grade 1 level.

British owners can only look on with envy at the prize levels offered in Australian horse racing and dream that one day the same could be achieved back home.