This appeared on paper to be a race that lacked speed and that tactics were going to play a large part in the outcome and this is exactly as it turned out to be. They broke slowly and were jog trotting for the first 1000m, the race begging for a bold move. While the others waited, Joao Moreira took the bull by the horns and made his move as they approached the 800m pole.

It proved decisive as at it unhinged many of the others, particularly Pakistan Star who was racing much handier than is his normal pattern. While Pakistan Star regained his momentum upon straightening, it was a too little too late, he was beaten a neck on the line.

Things hadn’t gone to plan in the run for Moreira and Neorealism “He didn’t really jump as well as we expected,” said Moreira. “We thought he was going to be able to lead but as he jumped a little bit slowly I had to give him a chance to get cover behind horses. The pace slowed so much on the back straight so I had to pop out and get going. He got going but he wasn’t at his top speed, so I was always confident that once we turned for home he was going to finish off strongly, which he did. It actually worked out pretty good because I was able to get him relaxed initially.”

“He doesn’t seem to be a horse that would sit and sprint, so the early move, I think, was the key to getting him to win,” Moreira added. “Mr. Hori gave me the freedom in case things happened the way they did today – I would have gone a little bit earlier, but I think it worked out perfectly this way. Japanese horses are strong everywhere they go!”

The trip to Hong Kong back in December provided Neorealism with a perfect launch pad for this race. He was a little disappointing finishing back in the pack over the mile then, but trainer Noriyuki Hori said “In December he had had a tough programme and it was difficult for him to keep his condition,” Hori said. “But he learned a lot from that and that helped him on this second visit to Hong Kong and he was able to improve on that.”

Runner-up Pakistan Star was brave in defeat, fighting hard to the line and coming up just short in his first crack at open Group 1 company. The son of Shamardal is still learning about racing, it is only ten months ago that he made his debut on July 1st last year. Silvestre de Sousa commented “He ran a very good race. The pace was just too slow early. He got left behind when they sprinted but finished off so well.” His closing sectionals tell the story – 44s for the last 800m and 21.95 for the final 400m.

Pakistan Star broke far better than he usually does and race ungenerously prior to getting cover when The United States went to the front. One day he will put it all together and deliver a big race win to trainer Tony Cruz, but he does seem a horse that needs a lot to go his way.

Last years winner, Werther, finished third. He was another who was undone by the mid race move by Moreira. Jockey Hugh Bowman – “Werther acquitted himself well,” he said “It was very slow in the middle stages and that didn’t suit him. I thought the sprint home would suit but the Japanese horse just got a break on us.”

While the race was down on numbers, with only eight starters, it was no impediment to betting turnover. Punters splurged HK$1.434 billion – a rise of six percent on last year.

Thanks to the HKJC for comments and sectional and turnover data.