Rising 10-year-old Takeover Target will have to overcome a stellar international line-up, headed by Hong Kong champion Sacred Kingdom, to defend his KrisFlyer sprint title in Singapore.
Sacred Kingdom, the world's top-rated turf sprinter in 2007 and 2008, and West Australian star Scenic Blast were both entered this week for the May 17 group one event.
Apache Cat, who will run in Saturday's TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick, is also among the nominations but is expected to run at the Queensland winter carnival instead.
Seventh Rock, a South African group one winner before joining David Hayes, and Danny O'Brien's Absolut Glam are other Australian-based contenders still targeting the sprint.
The KrisFlyer has also attracted 11 entries from the United Arab Emirates, headed by JJ The Jet Plane and Diabolical, while Europe's best sprinter, Marchand D'or, leads a strong French assault.
Great Britain and Ireland account for 10 of the 76 confirmed entries.
Hong Kong has six contenders besides Sacred Kingdom, including Inspiration, winner of last December's Hong Kong Sprint.
- AAP
Racing: Sprint hero to meet stellar field
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