Hong Kong trip next for Prince of Arran

Trainer Charlie Fellowes has confirmed that Prince of Arran will conclude a successful year in the Hong Kong Vase on December 9.

The five-year-old’s most recent outing was a third-placed finish in the Melbourne Cup on the back of winning the Group Three Lexus Handicap at Flemington.

Fellowes had already enjoyed success with Prince of Arran in the UK, Dubai and the United States so he is hoping for one more trip to remember at Sha Tin in Hong Kong next month.

“Prince Of Arran is a very happy boy. He’s in a great place. He’s still out at Werribee in Australia. He had an easy week last week and we’re just stating to pick things up again this week,” he said.

“The plan is to fly to Hong Kong on November 26 and he’ll be prepared for the Hong Kong Vase on December 9. Then he will have a long-overdue holiday.”

The Newmarket handler added: “He’s been remarkable. If you told me in January that 10 months later I’d be flying over for the Hong Kong Vase and going there with a realistic shout I’d have chuckled!

“He’s improved and improved all year – mentally rather than physically. Mentally he’s in such a good place at the moment.

“He’s enjoying his racing, which I don’t think he was as a younger horse, and he’s done really well.”