3 minute read

Exultant under champion rider Zac Purton becomes just the second horse to win the Hong Kong Vase.

1st - EXULTANT – Zac Purton
“I thought at that point he (Joao Moreira) had the better of me, he had the momentum. But my bloke just seemed to be loafing along a little bit and as Joao came to me he actually rolled in and bumped my horse – that seemed to fire him back up and he found his second wind then.” 

2nd - LYS GRACIEUX – Joao Moreira
“There is no doubt that her performance was outstanding against a horse running at its home yard and knows the track inch by inch. There were a few little issues that people might not have seen because I got held up, horses bumped me at 600 metres and she was hanging in the straight. Those little things can affect a horse’s performance and probably cost her the race. But overall I am extremely pleased with her performance. She is very talented and has proved that once again.” 

3rd - EZIYRA – Christophe Lemaire
“She had a dream run through behind the winner and she has a lot of stamina. She just lacked an instant reaction, but she fought all the way to the line and at this level that is certainly her best performance. I know the Japanese filly (Lys Gracieux) and she is a very good horse. I was happy - she kept on galloping and no excuses.” 

4th - EAGLE WAY – Silvestre de Sousa
“The race did not go according to plan. I was down on the rail and could not get out when I wanted to. It is disappointing not to finish better.” 

5th - WALDGEIST – Pierre-Charles Boudot
“We were very tight for room and we had no luck. I had a good spot but when the pace steadied it did not suit me. They quickened up and I got tapped for toe and then squashed.” 

6th - PAKISTAN STAR – William Buick
“He ran better than he has been doing for the last three starts but I thought that he ran like a 2000 metres horse.” 

7th - ROSTROPOVICH – Wayne Lordan
“He did not travel great, but he ran respectably.” 

8th - PRINCE OF ARRAN – Michael Walker
“He ran super – just the draw beat him today. He jumped out and wanted to head off the track early which is unlike him. He would have been right on the finish but for his draw. 

9th - SALOUEN – Oisin Murphy
“I did not have the gate speed early and then he was stuck wide. He has not run up to expectations.” 

10th - CROCOSMIA – Yasunari Iwata
“She was able to set her pace and run her race.” 

11th – LATROBE – James McDonald
“I thought he ran well enough – he has come a long way in a short time. I got back a bit and he was slow to muster. It has been a long season for him and he will be better next spring. He was checking off heels in the early part of the race and certainly could have done with a smoother run. He is a horse with a lovely action and finished off fairly.” 

12th - RUTHVEN – Hugh Bowman
“He travelled well, but for a horse like him it’s difficult in Hong Kong. He is a mile and and a half horse but there are not many races at his trip and, the races that there are, are at the top level and he might not be quite up to that. But he is certainly better than he showed today.” 

13th - RED VERDON – James Doyle
“I had a good spot but when the pace steadied it did not suit me. They quickened up and I got tapped for toe and then squashed.” 

14th - MIRAGE DANCER – Ryan Moore
“He ran bad – I don’t know why.”