'They will try to make a decision in three or four days. We are optimistic he will run' - Engelbrecht-Bresges

Fairy King Prawn's chance of defending his Yasuda Kinen crown in Japan was yesterday rated as '70-30' by Hong Kong Jockey Club director of racing Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges. The growing confidence came after Hong Kong's champion was confirmed among the selected runners for the Group One mile contest on June 3 and despite the Japanese Government appearing to hold firm in its tough stance on the foot-and-mouth issue.

And trainer Ivan Allan, who hailed Fairy King Prawn's selection as 'a positive first step', revealed the Horse of the Year was a likely starter in next month's Champions Mile at Sha Tin - whatever the outcome of the international negotiations.

Allan said: 'It had been in my mind to run him in the Champions Mile even before all this business came up. Although I love to run my horses abroad, I always say that Hong Kong racing comes first and I think Fairy King Prawn will be able to run in both races if the Japanese allow him back. It is a positive first step that the JRA [Japan Racing Association] has selected him and now they must do the right thing and let him run.'

Fairy King Prawn was one of five overseas horses selected yesterday for the Yasuda Kinen. The others are the Dubai pair Bertolini and China Visit - who are also banned at the moment under Japan's stringent policy on foot and mouth - Australian challenger Testa Rossa and North East Bound from the United States. Allan's Epic Express is first reserve and described by the trainer as 'a possible runner if he gets in', with the second reserve place going to Zoning from Dubai.

After receiving confirmation of Fairy King Prawn's selection from the JRA, Engelbrecht-Bresges said: 'I think we have gone from a 30-70 chance of starting a few days ago to maybe 70-30 now. I was not expecting a final answer today but the JRA informed us they will try to make a decision in three or four days. We think it is very good that the JRA is making every effort with the Japanese Government to solve this problem and we are optimistic Fairy King Prawn will run.'

Intensive negotiations in Tokyo yesterday between the JRA and the Government appeared to make little progress, with senior JRA official Kenji Kominami reporting: 'It is hard to persuade the bureaucracy. They want to stick to their original policy. It is very tough to ask them to change but we will keep trying until the time comes when it changes.'