Dylan Thomas settles in well for Vase build-up.

Byline: Jon Lees

HONG KONG Dylan Thomas and Miss Andretti, Europe and Australia's Horses of the Year, have reached Hong Kong to prepare for the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International races, but British hope Pressing has been ruled out of the event, writes Jon Lees.

Dylan Thomas arrived from Japan, where the authorities had barred him from contesting the Japan Cup because they were not satisfied with the results of a routine test for equine viral arteritis, early yesterday morning after his release from the Shiroi quarantine station where he had spent the past week. He will be the highest-rated international horse ever to race in Hong Kong.

Aidan O'Brien's travelling head lad Pat Keating said there had been no ill-effects. "The trip from the quarantine stable in Japan to Sha Tin took about 11 hours," he said. "He's a seasoned traveller and he looks to have settled in very quickly."

Dylan Thomas, a six-time Group 1 winner, is due to make the final start of his career in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase on December 9. The field for the race underwent further adjustments yesterday when Kocab, winner of four Listed races for Andre Fabre, and Hong Kong-trained Hawkes were added to the line-up.

This came following the loss of Sky Conqueror from Canada, Hong Kong's Syllabus, and the New Zealand-based Sculptor, who have been withdrawn in the last few days.

Miss Andretti, the Australian-trained winner of this year's King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot, shipped from Melbourne to contest the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint, victory in which would seal her status as the world's leading turf sprinter.

The Michael Jarvis-trained Pressing was due to run in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup but didn't travel. He scoped poorly after a disappointing workout on Monday and joins Hong Kong star Bullish Luck on the sidelines.

CAPTION(S):

Miss Andretti: star filly flies the flag for Australia in Hong Kong Sprint