The return match between last year's Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup winner Presvis and John Moore's Collection and Viva Pataca promises to underscore the HK$14 million spring feature on April 25 at Sha Tin after the release of fields yesterday. The Jockey Club's two international Group Ones, the QE II Cup and Champions Mile, both fell short of the maximum 14 runners when the invited runners were announced but the main event will lose nothing for that, with six overseas runners in a race

The return match between last year's Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup winner Presvis and John Moore's Collection and Viva Pataca promises to underscore the HK$14 million spring feature on April 25 at Sha Tin after the release of fields yesterday. The Jockey Club's two international Group Ones, the QE II Cup and Champions Mile, both fell short of the maximum 14 runners when the invited runners were announced but the main event will lose nothing for that, with six overseas runners in a race where the visitors have more often held sway than not.

"I'm delighted at the high quality of the selected runners for both events," said Bill Nader, the club's racing director yesterday.

"Seasoned Group One stars from six countries on four continents will be taking part. It's indicative of Hong Kong racing's continuing drawing power that Presvis will be back to defend his crown, and that the runner-up in the Dubai World Cup will be here to take him on."

The Luca Cumani-trained Presvis beat Viva Pataca to take the QE II Cup last year when Collection was diverted to the Champions Mile. However, Collection did beat him home comfortably in the Hong Kong Cup in December, when both had to bow to French galloper Vision D'Etat.

This time around, Moore has refused to split the paths of Viva Pataca and Collection and will tackle the race double-handed in a bid to take the race he won with Viva Pataca three years ago.

Cumani explained in Dubai recently that Presvis was short of his best in December when third to Vision D'Etat but he expects him to be on song for the QE II Cup.

Although only 11th in the Dubai Duty Free on World Cup night, Presvis was never out of trouble last start.

(from www.racing.scmp.com)