This classic is a fascinating affair, with Guineas winner Gold Ship expected to start favourite.

An array of international races will be run this weekend with a potential impact on the 2012 Melbourne spring carnival, none more significant than Sunday's Meguro Kinen in Japan.

Trailblazer sat in third spot in the Kyoto Kinen until the turn into the home straight where he charged to the front and nobody caught him.

The Kyoto Kinen is G2 over 2200m and has a field of 9 runners led by the returning Hiruno d'Amour.

It's still chilly in Hong Kong but the sky is clear and the sun is out and everything is set for a great day of racing.