Kamel Chehboub believes Horizon Dore is poised to scoop a first Group One win and complete a successful international raid on Sunday when he locks horns with Romantic Warrior in the Longines Hong Kong Cup (2,000m).

It is nine years since France last had a winner at Sha Tin’s marquee meeting, and Chehboub, who owns the three-year-old gelding, is optimistic ahead of Hong Kong’s richest race.

“Horizon Dore is a top horse, and we really hope he’ll show it on Sunday,” Chehboub said. “We really think it’s a race that will suit him.”

After beginning his season with back-to-back defeats over 1,800m, Horizon Dore has rapidly risen through the ranks, saluting on four of his five starts over 2,000m.

Following his emphatic victory in June’s Listed Prix Ridgway (2,000m) at Longchamp, the son of Dabirism notched his first Group Two triumph in the Prix Eugene Adam (2,000m) at Saint-Cloud one month later.

After showing his customary turn of foot to seal the Group Three Prix du Prince d’Orange (2,000m) and Group Two Prix Dollar (2,000m) on his next two starts, both at Longchamp, Horizon Dore gave a good account to finish third in the Group One British Champion Stakes (2,000m).

“He wasn’t able to show it at Ascot, where he had his excuses, and the ground was really deep, which compromised his chances. He also pulled a bit, and he doesn’t usually do that,” Chehboub said. “We are very confident that he’s going to run a big race.”

The Chehboub family are no strangers to tasting top-level success and experienced Group One Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2,400m) glory in October when three-year-old superstar Ace Impact won at Longchamp.

Unlike Ace Impact, who retired to the family-owned Haras de Beaumont stud shortly after his historic Arc triumph, Horizon Dore was gelded before his introduction to racing. Mickael Barzalona’s mount will jump from the inside barrier in Sunday’s HK$36 million contest.

“I think [gate] one on this particular track is an advantage. He’s fast away and has good gate speed,” Chehboub said. “He travels and can follow any pace, and however the race unfolds, he’ll be on the inside, and he’ll save ground. We had the choice of this or the Japan Cup. He had more recuperation time from Ascot to here.”

Patrice Cottier, who enjoyed his breakthrough Group One win as a trainer with Sauterne in September’s Prix du Moulin (1,600m) at Longchamp, is pleased with Horizon Dore’s recent progress.

“He’d lost a little bit of weight when he arrived, but he got that back within two days,” Cottier said. “He seems calm, happy, refreshed and relaxed. He’s in good form, and it’s all gone the way we planned it.”

It is 24 years since French handler Andre Fabre celebrated his first Hong Kong International Races win with Borgia in the 1999 Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m), and the master trainer will target a third victory in the race on Sunday when Junko lines up among a field of nine.

“The mile and a half looks the easiest race – it’s very even,” Fabre said. “If there’s a good pace, he’s going to run well. Since he’s been running over a mile and a half, he’s improved. Running in Dubai [over 1,800m] was too sharp for him.”

Equine physio Simpson gives Romantic Warrior the Winx treatment

This year’s Group One Grosser Preis von Bayern (2,400m) winner is one of two Fabre-trained gallopers taking their place at the international meeting, with Tribalist representing the powerful stable in the Group One Hong Kong Mile.

“He’s drawn wide, and that’s a concern, but his form is excellent. If we have a line with the European horses, he is close to the best,” Fabre said. “He can come from behind as well as go forward because, in France, nobody wants to go [forward].”