Christophe Lemaire has identified Embroidery as his best chance of tasting a first Longines Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) success since his win aboard Pride in the 2006 Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m).

One of the leading hopes in a jam-packed Group One Hong Kong Mile, three-year-old filly Embroidery is coming off a stunning year that featured victories in two of the three legs of the Japanese Triple Tiara – the Group One Oka Sho (1,600m) and Group One Shuka Sho (2,000m).

“Embroidery is my best ride because she’s a true Group One filly. She’s got the talent, she’s in excellent condition and she won brilliantly last time, so I’m quite confident,” said Lemaire, who will also ride in Wednesday night’s International Jockeys’ Championship at Happy Valley.

Some of the chat at Sha Tin trackwork this week has been around whether Embroidery would have been better suited at the 2,000m of the Cup and if connections are perhaps avoiding the indomitable Romantic Warrior. However, Lemaire is comfortable at the mile.

“I think she’s more a miler than a mile-and-a-quarter filly. She’s very talented as well and she’s got enough speed to be competitive at the mile,” he said.

Embroidery will benefit from a 5lb weight allowance when tackling a home team headed by defending champion Voyage Bubble and also boasting My Wish and Galaxy Patch, as well as another big name from the Land of the Rising Sun in Soul Rush.

“It’s hard to compete against the world’s best milers but she won two of the three legs of the Triple Tiara in Japan. I like her turn of foot,” said Lemaire.

“It’s a tough challenge, but with the light weight on her back I think she has a very good chance. She proved that she was the best three-year-old filly in Japan, so she has the right to do a good performance on Sunday.”

In the midst of another huge year in Japan that sees him sitting top of the jockeys’ premiership, Lemaire rides three Japanese gallopers at HKIR as he looks to add to his string of big-race wins in 2025.

Urban Chic is his other legitimate winning chance in a Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) featuring fellow star internationals Giavellotto, who won the race last year, Sosie, Al Riffa and Goliath.

A Group One winner at 3,000m, Urban Chic was last seen running fifth behind Masquerade Ball in last month’s Group One Tenno Sho Autumn (2,000m).

“He looks like he is coming back in form. He ran very well in the Tenno Sho, which is very good form behind Masquerade Ball, who finished second in the Japan Cup. On that occasion he ran a great race,” said Lemaire.

“He’s a Group One winner in Japan and he stays very well, so the trip will be perfect for him. He likes good ground so I think he’s got a chance.

“It’s always difficult to win a Group One here but Urban Chic is a talented horse. He’s proved it at home and now it’s his first try abroad. I think he’s got a few good cards in his game.”

Rounding out Lemaire’s book is Cup outsider Rousham Park, who finished eighth in the 2023 running of the race and hasn’t been at his best in 2025.

“He looks like he likes to travel. In America he finished second brilliantly in the Breeders’ Cup [Turf last year] and he likes good ground and a strong pace. Let’s see what he can do, but it’s a tough challenge,” said the jockey.