Sea The Stars asserts class again in Juddmonte

Report: York, Tuesday

Juddmonte International Stakes (Group 1) 1m2½f, 3yo+

SEA THE STARS, the world's best racehorse, wore down the gallant Mastercraftsman to add the Group 1 Juddmonte International to his impressive seasonal haul.

The Guineas-Derby-Eclipse hero, sent off the 1-4 favourite, smashed York's 1m2½f track record when coming out on top of a prolonged duel with Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Mastercraftsman (3-1).

After the withdrawal of Tartan Bearer on Monday, it was left to trainer Aidan O'Brien, who saddled the other three runners in the race, to try to lower the colours of the John Oxx-trained superstar.

As the quartet broke from the stalls, Georgebernardshaw adopted the pacesetting role, shortly followed by Set Sail with Mastercraftsman in behind and Sea The Stars out the back.

The complexion of the race changed with four furlongs to run as Johnny Murtagh weaved Mastercraftsman through a gap in between his stablemates, but Mick Kinane audaciously followed on the Sea The Stars.

The two outsiders began to toil and left the way clear for the highly touted confrontation between the two big guns, with Mastercraftsman a couple of lengths clear as the tempo increased.

Sea The Stars cruised in behind and as Kinane began to ask the son of Cape Cross to go and win the race he closed the gap, gradually finding top gear to wear down his rival.

Oxx said: "They probably went a steady pace and of course Mastercraftsman is no tourist. He took it to him there at the end and just made him work.

"He's just had to fight a bit and he onlyjust does enough, but as long as he keeps winning we won't worry."

Kinane added: "I asked him to go and quicken up between the two Ballydoyle pacemakers, which was probably a bit of a risky manoeuvre, but I wanted to follow Johnny [Murtagh, on Mastercraftsman] through.

"So I let him quicken up and then eased him down. Then Johnny quickened and found a couple of lengths and his horse has run a hell of a race.

"Just a combination of those things made it more difficult than maybe it should have been."

Delighted winning owner Christopher Tsui said: "I'm feeling great and it's just unbelievable.

"It did look in doubt for a second, but I saw Mick and he was just waiting and waiting for the right moment. It was just unbelievable to watch that."

O'Brien said of Mastercraftsman: "This fellow loves to get into a battle, but Mick rode a brilliant race on Sea The Stars. It was a great race and the winner is a great horse.

"He's not short on speed, ourfellow, but he can run either over a mile or a mile and a quarter. I'm not sure where he will go now - all options are open to him."

Murtagh added: "He ran his heart out and I'm very proud of him. The distance was no problem today, and we nearly got there."

Paddy Power make Sea The Stars the 1-2 favourite for the Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes - his intended next race - while William Hill make him 4-7 (first show).

Hills also left Sea The Stars unchanged at 4-1 for the Qatar Prix l'Arc de Triomphe and 7-2 for the Breeders' Cup Classic.