I had the local contingent pencilled in for two wins on the HKIR card, and given a particular set of circumstances possibly a third. However, the Vase was not the race I had as a possible win third scalp for team Hong Kong. They probably had their most competitive looking runners in a while, but the Europeans bought Arc and Breeders Cup form and the Japanese just produce superior stayers. 

Exultant was marginally the punters elect amongst the local team, just ahead of Pakistan Star. Jockey Zac Purton elected to take Exultant forward, to make best use of his ability to stay.  “He’s just an out and out stayer and we decided to put him up on the pace today against a quality field and just let him grind it out,” Purton said.

“He’s the type of horse that if he’s going to get into a fight in the last 200 metres over a distance like this, you’d like to be on his back.”

Japanese mare Crocosmia lead as expected, but the pace was not severe giving Exultant every chance on the speed. Eziyra and Ruthven were also handy in the run. Lys Gracieux and Joao Moreira were back towards the tail.

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As they turned for home things soon got a bit ugly for those back in the pack. William Buick speared Pakistan Star out when not clear of Waldgeist and Red Verdon, causing a scrimmage that earned him a lengthy spell on the sidelines (12 Hong Kong race days). 

Exultant kicked clear, but Moreira and Lys Gracieux looks the obvious danger. In fact it is doubtful that anyone in the crowd thought that Exultant would hold on as Lys Gracieux loomed. Purton said “Joao 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.”

Of the second place getter Moreira said  “No doubt her performance was outstanding against a horse that was running on his home yard and obviously knows the track inch-by inch”.

“There were a few little issues people might not have seen as I got held up and horses bumped me at 600 metres. Those little things, I think, can affect the horse’s performance and those probably cost her the race, but overall I’ve got to express that I am extremely pleased with her performance.”

For trainer Tony Cruz, it was his first success in the Vase. “I’m over the moon, we all are,” he said. “This season he’s stronger, he’s more experienced, he knows his game better and he had a perfect run – Zac rode a perfect race.”

“This horse has no speed so you have to have him up there and being drawn wide (10) was actually good for him because nothing was going to block him. I told Zac he had to be up there – the Japanese horse (Crocosmia) led, we sat second, it was perfect.”

Third home was Eziyra for Dermott Weld. “She had a dream run through behind the winner and she has a lot of stamina,” jockey Christophe Lemaire said. “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.”

What happens next for Exultant is undecided at this stage. Cruz will throw in entries for overseas races, but will discuss options with his owner.

Thanks to the HKJC team for quotes from connections.