Never have so many supported so few but the strong Australian contingent in Hong Kong for Sunday's Cathay Pacific Airways-sponsored international race meeting at Sha Tin have taken New Zealand's Jimmy Choux as their own when he takes on horses from all over in the International Mile.

Clearly, the rematch of the Melbourne Cup quinella of Dunaden and Red Cadeaux in the Hong Kong Vase (2400m), the first of the four international races, is the highlight of the day.

But with no Australian-trained horses involved, Jimmy Choux is the next best thing and in the tradition that began with Phar Lap 80 years ago, Jimmy Choux and his trainer John Bary have become honorary citizens, at least for one day.

There are several Melbourne-based tours in Hong Kong for the International meeting, including one from the Victoria Racing Club, so while the Kiwis remain the enemy in the cricket, we will willingly be cheering Jimmy Choux home at Sha Tin.

The four-year-old ran well in Melbourne during the spring without winning but, in deciding to bring him to Hong Kong, Bary has at least given the Australian racing media a focal point to hang on and drawing barrier two in the capacity field of 14 should be an advantage although there is a suggestion that the inside running may not be the fastest way home on Sunday.

Bary has already entertained the media with his tales of Jimmy Choux having a mirror in his box to give him something to look at and also using an iPod to provide some background music.

"He likes the Black-Eyed Peas" Bary said.

Although this year's International Mile does not appear to be a vintage renewal, Jimmy Choux faces some fierce competition in the shape of the French horse Rajsaman and John Moore's three-pronged attack headed by Xtension who was considered the unlucky runner of last year's race.

We will at least have Melbourne-based jockey Craig Williams to cheer home on French stayer Dunaden in the Hong Kong Vase.

Suspension cost Williams the ride on Dunaden in the Melbourne Cup and he was replaced by French jockey Christophe Lemaire who got him home the narrowest of winners over Red Cadeaux ridden by Michael Rodd.

With Lemaire required for the Alain de Royer Dupre-trained Vadamar in the Vase, Williams, who is currently riding in Japan on a six-week contract, gets another chance to ride Dunaden on whom he won the Geelong Cup.

In another riding change, English jockey Ryan Moore will take over from Rodd on Red Cadeaux. The biggest problem for Dunaden and Red Cadeaux is likely to be coming back from the 3200 metres of the Melbourne Cup to the 2400 metres at Sha Tin.

Both horses have freshened up really well but they are going to need a genuine pace to show their best.