(Andrew Bensley is a leading commentator with Sky Racing and Sky Sports Radio.)

As we head in to another weekend of racing, most attention is on Sunday's Hong Kong International meeting at Sha Tin. The four feature races are primed with the world's best horses.

The International Vase will most likely prove the strongest race on the day with Melbourne Cup winner Americain clashing with locals Viva Pataca and Mr Medici, Japanese star stayer Jaguar Mail and the Godolphin-trained Mastery.

Americain has received glowing reports all week and looks to be in prime condition. The horse has been in Hong Kong three weeks and going by his work on Tuesday morning hasn't lost any of the acceleration we saw on that first Tuesday in November. Race jockey Gerald Mosse has also reported to part owner Gerry Ryan that Americain is ready for another huge challenge.

Craig Williams and Jaguar Mail celebrated victory earlier this year in the two mile Tenno Sho and after running home strongly to finish fourth in the Japan Cup nearly a fortnight ago, the six-year-old appears to be right on his game.

Jaguar Mail looked a bit stiff on arrival into Hong Kong but he stretched out nicely on the course proper at Sha Tin on Wednesday.

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Ortensia's trainer Tony Noonan says his horse will have to put in a career best run to win the International Sprint.

Noonan though remains ever the optimist telling me on Sky Sports Radio that the mare is in great order and the fast tempo expected in the 1200 metre race should definitely help her chances.

Ortensia has had two distracted gallops on the course proper this week and will race in blinkers to straighten up.

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Leading Hong Kong trainer Casper Fownes has plenty of runners at Sha Tin on Sunday but chatting with him this week we can expect Thumbs Up to be right in the finish of the International Mile.

Fownes has been thrilled by the recent runs of Thumbs Up and said his horse should win an expected fast race on Sunday.

Fownes will saddle up Green Birdie and Lucky Nine in the International Sprint but feels Green Birdie is his best hope. The horse trialled well last week and can certainly finish top three.

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Saturday's Christmas Cup at Rosehill will see an interesting Queensland visitor line up.

Spechenka is in red hot form at the moment and his trainer Ben Ahrens feels the 2400 metres of Saturday's race is perfect for the fast-finishing horse. Ahrens hasn't been surprised by Spechenka's three straight wins saying he's been settling a lot better in his races.

Spechenka is a $5 chance with TAB Sportsbet Fixed Odds.

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Now to some top class harness racing and Saturday night's Cranbourne Pacing Cup. The barrier draw should make the Cranbourne Cup a thrilling affair, with Lance Justice drawn wide off the back row with Miracle Mile winner Smoken Up. Justice isn't concerned, though, saying right now Smoken Up has the feel of being invincible.

Out to spoil that party is Melpark Major who toughed it out so strongly a fortnight ago at Tabcorp Park Melton.

Driver Amy Tubbs is thrilled with the way Melpark Major has trained on.

The one big watch in the Cranbourne Cup is Perth pacer, Imthemightyquinn. Trainer Gary Hall Senior said during the week the horse's last two wins have shown he has the qualities to win and having drawn inside Melpark Major should prove a big plus early in the $100,000 race.