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Year in Review Santa Anita opening day HK Cup Entries Hong Kong Cup works Hollywood Derby Day |
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 Oisin Murphy celebrates aboard Giavellotto after winning the Hong Kong Vase |
Kicking off the Longines Hong Kong International Races for 2024 was the HK$24 million (US$3.08 million) Longines Hong Kong Vase (G1), a 2400 meter (about 1 1/2 mile) trip for older horses around 2 turns of the right-handed turf course at Sha Tin. Japanese 1000 Guineas (G1) winner and Japanese Oaks (G1) runner-up Stellenbosch was sent off as the 9-4 favorite in the field of 13. In to challenge him included 9-2 second choice Without a Fight, winner of the 2023 Melbourne Cup (G1) but third in the VRC Champions Stakes (G1) last out, and 5-1 third choice Marquisat, fufth in the Grosser Preis von Bayern (G2).
Jockey Cristian Demuro sent 19-1 Pradaria to the lead first time by through fractions of 25.64, 50.22, 1:16.08, and 1:40.40 while pressed by 53-1 La City Blanche and stalked by 44-1 Ka Ying Generation. Turning for home, Pradaria continued to lead through 10f in 2:04.27 but tired badly late. 11-1 Giavellotto, unhurried early under Oisin Murphy, rallied and outfinished late-running 12-1 Dubai Honour to win by 2 1/2 lengths in 2:27.53. It was another length back to favorite Stellenbosch third.
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# Horse Jockey Win Place
2 Giavellotto Murphy 24.50 6.10
4 Dubai Honour Marquand 7.60
13 Stellenbosch Moreira 3.30
Winning Time: 2:27.53
$2 Quinella 2-4 108.50
$2 Exacta 2-4 209.50
$2 Trifecta 2-4-13 588.30
Results Chart from HKJC with video replay |
Left: Giavellotto in the winner's circle. Winning trainer Marco Botti said, "Credit to Oisin because first thing after the G1 Irish St Leger (2800m), he mentioned this race and he was adamant that we should come here. We followed Oisin's advice and it worked out well."
Right: Giavellotto heads back to the barn. Winning jockey Oisin Murphy said, "It was all very comfortable until he got to the turn, then I had to wait. And, of course, then you're worried that the race is going to get away from you. But he showed an incredible kick to get going. He was always going to win from a furlong out, so I was really able to soak it up."
Left: Giavellotto heads out for the post parade. Botti added, "Giavellotto was fresh coming into the race and it was only his sixth race of the year. We knew that, if he handled a drop back to a mile and a half on a sharper track than Newmarket – where he won in the summer- we had a chance. Credit to the owner, who has a lot of faith in this horse and it has paid off. It's just a dream come true. He was in Saudi early in the season and ran a solid race, and then went to Dubai. He's just got better and better and he loves travelling."
Right: All the connections and officials pose with their Longines watches and trophies after the trophy presentation for the Hong Kong Vase. Hong Kong Jockey Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said, "It was a very good win by Giavellotto. It was the first time since 2012 for a British horse."
Left: Second place finisher Dubai Honour heads out to the track before the race. Jockey Tom Marquand said, "He's run a cracker. The race didn't work out quite the way I'd have hoped, but you can't fault his effort and he's run all the way to the line." Assistant trainer Maureen Haggas added, "He was just a little bit keen early and Tom wanted to get him to settle. He was well back and travelling really well turning in and you thought if he got the gaps, he was going to run a really very good race, which he did. The winner is a very good horse and got first run on him but he ran a hell of a race on ground that we all know is faster than he really likes, so you've got to be thrilled."
Right: Third place finisher and beaten favorite Stellenbosch in the walking ring. Jockey Joao Moreira said, "She was fantastic. She was a bit unlucky as she had a bad gate and couldn't get on to the fence. She is a proper horse and I am very proud of how she ran."
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