3 minute read

The first two of the four International Group Ones at Sha Tin have seen the honours go to England and Hong Kong.

Two former Irish St Leger winners Colliler Hill and Kastoria fought out the final of the Hong Kong Vase with only a nose

separating them at the end.

Collier Hill's jockey Dean McKeown discribed how he was a fair way back during the race but after they went round the turn he

found daylight and his horse picked up, went forward well, was nearly distracted by the crowd and then spotted Kastoria and just

stuck his head out at the right time. Trainer Alan Swinbank said that everything had gone to plan this year for the 8yo who doesn't

know how old he is and always gives everything in his races.

Kastoria was unlucky having been in a tight spot and that squeeze probably just cost her the race as she flew home but was half a

stride short on the wire.

All going well both horses will meet again in next year's Dubai Sheema Classic, although Collir Hill would be eligible for a big

bonus if he came to Hong Kong for the QEII in late April, although the distance of 2000m may be too short.

Shamdala ran on well for third and Song of Wind ran fourth.

The Sprint went to local record breaker Absolute Champion who left Silent Witness trailing in his wake - the old days would have

seen that finish the other way round. English spriner Benbaum, always so consistent, took the third money with promising sprinter

Down Town in fourth.

Joe Janiak has just received the World Champion Sprinter trophy - a day of mixed emotions indeed.