The biggest week in the city’s racing calendar has arrived and anticipation is very much filling the air ahead of the Longines Hong Kong International Races (HKIR).

A selection of the world’s best – both equine and human – will fight it out for the HK$126 million prize money on offer across Sunday’s four features, with 28 foreign raiders descending on Sha Tin.

American sprinter Nobals was the final overseas runner to touch down in the city on Sunday morning, with the five-year-old arriving from Chicago.

He is the sole American representative at this year’s HKIR and is set to take on David Hayes’ star Ka Ying Rising in the Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m).

Nobals will be joined by five internationals in the HK$26 million contest, with three Japanese raiders lining up alongside British hope Starlust and Australian galloper Recommendation.

The Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) favourite, Stellenbosch, is also settling into her new surroundings at Sha Tin after landing in the city on Sunday morning.

One of four Japanese contenders to have jetted in on Sunday, Stellenbosch will bid to land the longest of the Group One features with star Brazilian Joao Moreira in the saddle.

Eight foreign horses will go to post for the Vase, including Group One Melbourne Cup (3,200m) winner Without A Fight and Aidan O’Brien-trained duo Luxembourg and Continuous.

In the Group One Hong Kong Mile, six international challengers will aim to leave with the spoils, while eight raiders will attempt to overthrow reigning champion Romantic Warrior in the city’s richest race, the HK$40 million Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m).

Music to So’s ears

Chris So Wai-yin unleashed an exciting prospect at Sha Tin on Sunday as The Boom Box hit all the right notes on debut in the Class Four Cameron Handicap (1,200m).

Well backed into $5 after showing glimpses of promise in his four trials, The Boom Box carved through the field from towards the rear to make a perfect start to his career under Vincent Ho Chak-yiu.

The Boom Box was So’s second debut winner in the past three meetings, with Hong Lok Golf saluting at Sha Tin last week.

“I think he’s a good horse, but we weren’t too sure today with the draw [12] because we wanted to lead,” So said of The Boom Box.

“We had no choice but to take him back, but he’s got a big heart and he got a smooth run and a good ride. Sometimes we make the horse step up too fast, so we’ll just keep him at 1,200m for now.”

Waited with at the rear under Ho, The Boom Box trailed a quick early pace set by James McDonald on Super Legends and took a fierce hold turning for home.

Despite finding traffic at the top of the straight, The Boom Box responded to Ho’s urgings and made rapid headway 200m from home.

Taking the lead 100m out, the son of Spirit Of Boom kept on well to register a half-length win over Island Buddy.

Mixed fortunes for Badel, Pouchin

Frenchmen Alexis Badel and Alexis Pouchin were dealt mixed luck at Sha Tin on Sunday, with the former snapping a nagging drought and the latter coming agonisingly close to a perfect start in the city.

Badel arrived at Sha Tin without a win from his past 45 rides but bounced back with a last-gasp victory aboard Aca Power in the Class Four Hankow Handicap (1,200m).

After he settled at the rear from gate 11, Aca Power was rousted along early but kept finding under Badel to round up his rivals in the straight.

The gutsy eight-year-old kept on well in the closing stages to lead in the final strides and register his fifth win in the city at start 44.

The success ticked Badel over to six wins for the campaign after 25 meetings.

While the 34-year-old was all smiles as he returned to the winners’ enclosure, the newest addition to Hong Kong’s riding ranks, Pouchin, was narrowly denied a flawless start to his short-term contract.

Electing to go forward aboard the Pierre Ng Pang-chi-trained Yoda’s Choice in the opener, Pouchin dictated proceedings throughout only to be caught in the dying stages by Zac Purton aboard Precision Goal.

The 24-year-old young gun shot for home at the top of the straight and established a three-length lead 300m out, but failed to hold off the $3 favourite.

Pouchin also finished in the money aboard Panda in the Cameron Handicap, with the Dennis Yip-trained galloper running on for third.