Hong Kong Vase for Mastery

Dettori shines on former Leger hero

Last updated: 12th December 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Daily Top up Treble. Click here to bet.

Mastery

Mastery: Won the Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin

Related links

Also see

Profiles

Mastery scooped another huge prize when emerging victorious in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin under Frankie Dettori.

The 2009 St Leger winner was always close to the pace and looked to have a clear fitness edge on his rivals as he powered away to win with some ease.

Redwood, ridden by Michael Hills and trained by father Barry, stayed on for second with recent Melbourne Cup winner Americain third.

Sir Michael Stoute's Crystal Capella was prominent early on but folded tamely, while the James Given-trained Indian Days was never a factor.

Ballydoyle's Joshua Tree was declared a non-runner. Aidan O'Brien's colt is lame.

Flying

Dettori said: "I was looking at the stats and it was my 48th Hong Kong International ride, so you could say I'm getting a bit long in the tooth.

"Saeed has been telling me this horse was flying. He's been slow getting out (of the stalls) and he was again, but once I got him out and clear in the straight I knew nobody could catch us in the last 400 yards.

"He won the Leger and is a good horse, and for a four-year-old he's had very little racing.

"The fresh legs are paying off, and my first thoughts would be the Sheema Classic. It's been a great job by Saeed and the team."

Bin Suroor added: "The horse has been giving me a good feeling for a while.

"He was flying in his work, and is in great condition. We got him ready specially for this race.

"We shall keep him in training next year and all the options are open, including the Sheema Classic back in Dubai.

"My stable was on the 199 mark and this was our last runner of the year, so that is very nice for us to get to the 200 with the last chance to do it."

Ryan Moore said of Crystal Capella: "The ground was too quick for her."

Stoute added: "Ryan said she didn't let herself down on the ground."

Jockey Alan Munro said of Indian Days: "The pace didn't suit my horse. It was a rough race and it became too tactical."

Post to your View!

Be the first to post a comment on this story

Add Comment*

Send us your views

Are you a Sky Sports subscriber?

*All fields required, your email address will be kept private