Alkaased Takes Pass on Vase; Sold to Stud

Japan Cup (Jpn-I) winner Alkaased won't compete in the HK$14-million Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase after all.

Alkaased, owned by Michael Charlton, was withdrawn from the race Nov. 30, the Hong Kong Jockey Club said in a release. Alkaased has been sold for stud duty in Japan; he must return to England to enter quarantine, then return to Japan for a second quarantine, the Jockey Club reported.

Further details weren't immediately available.

After the Japan Cup win, Charlton said Alkaased, a 5-year-old horse by Kingmambo out of the Niniski mare Chesa Plana, probably would enter stud in 2006, most likely in Japan. At that time, his connections were debating whether to run him in Hong Kong or in Japan later in the year.

The quarantine requirements make it impractical for Alkaased to compete in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International races, the Jockey Club said. The Vase is now expected to have 11 starters.