Eagle soars in Hong Kong

Impressive winner: Eagle Mountain

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Eagle Mountain ran out an impressive winner of the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup for trainer Mike De Kock.

The four-year-old was trained by Aidan O'Brien in his younger days and finished runner-up in the Derby to Authorized.

Bought privately by De Kock's main patron, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, he was then out of action for 12 months after suffering a serious injury.

On his first race for the South African at Newmarket in October he broke the track record for a mile before being prepared for the Breeders' Cup Turf.

That trip ended in disappointment when he was edged out by St Leger winner Conduit.

However, dropping back to 10 furlongs, jockey Kevin Shea was in the perfect position throughout and kicked on early in the straight.

He immediately took two lengths out of the field and although Balius tried to close the gap, he never looked like catching the winner.

Sir Michael Stoute's Linngari claimed third under Ryan Moore but hot favourite Viva Pataca finished only fourth under Darren Beadman.

Meanwhile, Lush Lashes was stirred up at the start and ran too free for Kevin Manning and faded to finish last.

De Kock said: "He was very well ridden by Kevin. We planned to be a lot handier. The other horses were messing around at the start and he missed the break by half a length and he had to improvise.

"I think he won it on the turn when he got out of trouble and was able to sweep around the horses that were coming back to him. You could see around the turn he was travelling extremely well just like he did in the Breeders' Cup.

"We could run this horse any distance anywhere, he is just one of those horses that is effective at a mile to a mile and a half."

He added: "He will have a break now before Dubai and he will run on Super Thursday to decide if we run him over nine furlongs or a mile and a half on World Cup night."

Earlier, Good Ba Ba completed back-to-back victories in the Hong Kong Mile, the Andreas Schutz-trained superstar setting a new track record under Christophe Soumillon.

Able One ran on well for second and Egyptian Ra finished third.

Disappointment for Cumani

But there was disappointment for Luca Cumani after Purple Moon was pipped by Doctor Dino in the final stride of the Hong Kong Vase.

Jamie Spencer looked to have given the five-year-old a strong ride as he quickened the tempo off a slow pace early in the straight.

He appeared to have the measure of his rivals but Doctor Dino, under Olivier Peslier, and the Mick Kinane-ridden Jaguar Mail challenged down the outside.

And, right where it mattered most Doctor Dino put his nose in front, giving Richard Gibson's globetrotter consecutive victories in the race.

The result came a month after another of Cumani's horses, Bauer, lost the Melbourne Cup in a photo finish.

Despite his latest setback, Cumani said: "I am delighted to know that he belongs in this grade. It was his first time in a proper Group One and he is only going to improve.

"We would have preferred a stronger pace, it was quite a slow race."

Winning trainer Richard Gibson added: "Before anything I want to commiserate with Luca Cumani and Purple Moon for the great race they ran.

"But the story is about Doctor Dino and he has joined an elite band of horses to win this race twice. He's a very unique, powerful athlete and I am very proud of him."