While just what this year’s Longines Hong Kong International Races will look like remains to be seen as Jockey Club officials await government approval for the travel bubble required to host a truly global event, the quality among the initial entries for the HK$100 million showcase cannot be questioned.

Among the 135 horses nominated are 57 Group One winners from nine jurisdictions, with the likes of Gran Alegria, Tarnawa, Snowfall, Nature Strip and Verry Elleegant some of the superstars joining local hero Golden Sixty.

In total 90 horses from overseas and 45 Hong Kong-based gallopers have put their hat in the ring for the four Group Ones on December 12, with the city’s richest race – the HK$30 million Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) – the most popular with 57 entries.

Joining Snowfall, Tarnawa, Verry Elleegant and Gran Alegria in the Cup is Joseph O’Brien’s Cox Plate winner State Of Rest, while his legendary father Aidan has a swag of gallopers in the mix to go with Snowfall including Love and Bolshoi Ballet.

Jim Bolger’s Mac Swiney also holds an entry, while Sealiway – who won the Champion Stakes at Ascot recently – flies the flag for France and Salios and Lei Papale are among a strong Japanese contingent, along with Gran Alegria.

Hong Kong are a little light on, with Group One winners Panfield and Southern Legend joined by Sky Darci and Furore.

Like many of the Cup entrants, Hong Kong’s premier stayer Panfield is also in the mix for the Vase (2,400m), as are the past two winners in Mogul and Glory Vase.

Mogul is only one of a strong Aidan O’Brien contingent, while Glory Vase is one of 14 entries from the Land of the Rising Sun along with Loves Only You, who took out April’s QE II Cup at Sha Tin.

How many Hong Kong horses could actually win a Group One at this year’s HKIR?

Group One winners Channel Cat and Gufo from the United States have registered their interest, while William Muir’s Pyledriver is on the list as well as German Derby winner Sisfahan.

Japan has positioned itself for a crack at reigning Hong Kong Mile champion Golden Sixty, with five-time Group One winner Gran Alegria and this year’s Yasuda Kinen victor Danon Kingly heading a strong team of 20 entered for the 1,600m Group One.

Chris Waller’s Hungry Heart could represent Australia, O’Brien Snr has Mother Earth and Order Of Australia and Waikuku and Tourbillion Diamond are also there for the home team.

Hong Kong should also have a strong hand in the Sprint (1,200m), with Group One winners Wellington and Hot King Prawn joined by Courier Wonder, Lucky Patch, Naboo Attack and Sky Field.

The strongest opposition could come in the form of Waller’s Nature Strip and Eduardo from Down Under, while the Mark Newnham-trained Splintex is considered a strong chance to make the trip to Sha Tin.

Last year’s winner Danon Smash is in the mix as well as compatriots Pixie Knight and Mozu Superflare, while Ireland’s A Case Of You is coming off a victory in the Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp Longines on Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe day earlier this month.

The final fields for the four features will be announced next month.