A swag of global superstars have joined the very best local gallopers among the entries for December’s Longines Hong Kong International Races.

The four Group One contests have attracted 189 nominations, and the connections of 55 individual Group One winners have thrown their hats in the ring, with the likes of Liberty Island, Paddington, Mr Brightside and Highfield Princess headlining the overseas contingent.

One of 68 entries from Japan, superstar Liberty Island recently secured Japan’s Triple Tiara with victory in the Group One Shuka Sho (2,000m) and holds entries for the Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) and the Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m).

Victoria Road – who clashes with reigning Cup champion Romantic Warrior in Saturday’s Group One Cox Plate (2,040m) – is among eight Aidan O’Brien entries for the HK$36 million Cup, while Romantic Warrior’s recent Group One Turnbull Stakes (2,000m) conqueror Gold Trip – another Cox Plate runner – has also been nominated for the city’s richest race.

The Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained Mr Brightside, another who stands between Romantic Warrior and Cox Plate glory, is entered for the Cup and the Group One Hong Kong Mile, a race for which Victoria Road and O’Brien’s four-time Group One-winning superstar three-year-old Paddington are also in the mix.

Hong Kong-owned Kinross looks set to tackle Golden Sixty and California Spangle in the Mile, with Marc Chan eager to see his star race on Sha Tin’s marquee day.

Connections of another British galloper, Highfield Princess, have already stated their intention to lock horns with top local speedsters Lucky Sweynesse and Wellington in the Sprint, while In Secret – who finished fourth in The Everest under Zac Purton – is also entered for the six-furlong dash.

Another who has made an impact during Melbourne’s Spring Carnival, Simon and Ed Crisford’s Caulfield Cup runner-up West Wind Blows, holds entries for the Cup and the Vase, while Group One winners from France (Simca Mille), Germany (Sisfahan) and the United States (War Like Goddess) could join the consistent galloper in the 2,400m staying test.

While the entries mean little at this stage and final fields for the four Group One contests are not confirmed until November 22, the signs are positive for a quartet of competitive races come December 10.

“We’re extremely pleased with the entries for the 2023 Longines Hong Kong International Races. Hong Kong’s very best horses – Golden Sixty, Romantic Warrior, California Spangle and many more are nominated to take on some of world racing’s elite, setting the scene for superb sporting action on December 10 at Sha Tin,” said Jockey Club executive director of racing Andrew Harding.

“We’re heartened by the positive support we’ve received from our international friends from around the world, and it’s clear this year’s list of nominations has all of the ingredients to produce a truly unforgettable [HKIR].”

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Other big names among the nominations for the four Group Ones worth a combined HK$118 million include star Hong Kong stayer Russian Emperor, O’Brien’s Luxembourg and Kyprios, France’s Horizon Dore and current Group One Melbourne Cup (3,200m) favourite Vauban.

Triple Group-One winner Sharp ‘N’ Smart is the sole entry from New Zealand, while Singapore’s Lim’s Kosciuszko – who finished last in the 2022 Sprint – and Macau’s Famous Jonathn also feature.