Two of the world’s very best could do battle in a showdown for the ages in next month’s Group One Longines Hong Kong Cup (2,000m), with the mighty Calandagan still a chance to face local hero Romantic Warrior.

The catch, however, is that recently crowned European Horse of the Year Calandagan must first get through this Sunday’s Group One Japan Cup (2,400m) and is considered a slim chance of actually making it to Sha Tin.

Whatever happens with Calandagan, Romantic Warrior – who returned from injury with an emphatic victory on the weekend – will have some stiff overseas opposition to overcome in his pursuit of a record-extending fourth consecutive success in the HK$40 million Cup.

Japanese trio Bellagio Opera, Rousham Park and Lord Del Rey lead that charge, while Calandagan’s Francis-Henri Graffard-trained stablemate Quisisana and Joseph O’Brien’s Galen will also shape up to Hong Kong’s 10-time Group One winner.

Those internationals are part of a 22-strong raiding party taking aim at the HK$130 million Longines Hong Kong International Races on December 14, with 22 Group One winners littered across the four Group One fields confirmed by the Jockey Club on Wednesday.

After an enormous year featuring three consecutive Group One successes – including the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2,400m) at Ascot in July – Calandagan on a mark of 130 boasts the highest international rating among the 50 selected HKIR runners.

Bellagio Opera looks the pick of the Japanese trio in the Cup after a last-start second in the Group One Takarazuka Kinen (2,200m) at Hanshin in June and consecutive successes in the Group One Osaka Hai (2,000m).

Rousham Park is known to Hong Kong fans after he finished eighth behind Romantic Warrior in the 2023 Cup, while Lord Del Rey’s best elite-level result was a second behind Bellagio Opera in this year’s Osaka Hai.

The only mare in the race, Quisisana will carry 122lb – 4lb less than her 10 potential rivals – and will bring strong form to Hong Kong after finishing third behind Kalpana in last month’s Group One British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (2,400m) at Ascot.

Ninth in the Group One Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2,400m) a fortnight earlier, Quisisana’s greatest moment came when winning August’s Group One Prix Jean Romanet (2,000m) at Deauville.

Galen has a far less impressive CV and will be making his Group One debut after running a last-start second behind Royal Champion in the recent Group Two Bahrain International Trophy (2,000m).

Rounding out the field for Hong Kong’s richest race are four locals who look like they’ll be doing well to finish in the first half of the field, foremost of whom is the Douglas Whyte-trained Shanwah.

Third in the Group One Australian Derby (2,400m) pre-import, Shanwah finished 11th at Class Two level in his only Hong Kong start but will step out again in Sunday’s Class Two Chevalier Cup (1,600m) at Sha Tin.

Massive Sovereign will also run in the Chevalier Cup on the way to the Hong Kong Cup, while he is also second reserve for the Group One Hong Kong Mile.

Straight Arron is the only horse who finished behind Romantic Warrior in last weekend’s Group Two Jockey Club Cup (2,000m) who will reoppose him on international day, while Chancheng Glory rounds out the local assault.