De Sousa shines on Glorious Forever in Cup as Europeans struggle

Silvestre de Sousa produced a front-running masterclass on outsider Glorious Forever to capture the Hong Kong Cup, and provide trainer Frankie Lor with a memorable double on the day.

De Sousa has shown himself to be a canny judge of pace in races, such as his Britannia Stakes success on Ostilio this year, and he popped Glorious Forever into the lead with his brother Time Warp shadowing him in second.

At the top of the home straight, De Sousa kicked on Glorious Forever and he was always holding Time Warp. Deirdre thundered home late to spoil the family forecast, but could not deny Glorious Forever.

De Sousa said: "I didn't want them to take the race away from me so I had to make it a true gallop. He was happy to travel in front, from there I just had to get the fractions right."

Beauty Generation canters to success in the Hong Kong MileCredit: Masakazu Takahashi

'Beast' Beauty Generation slams Hong Kong Mile rivals

Beauty Generation (John Moore/Zac Purton) produced a stunning performance to win the Hong Kong Mile while barely coming off the bridle.

"He's a beast," said Purton."He's shown that this season. I'm just happy for the horse as there's so much expectation on him.

"I knew he'd do that today, I knew they couldn't beat him."

Having been trapped wide until just before the straight, Beauty Generation eased over to the front rounding the turn and glided away from his rivals to win comfortably.

The Europeans failed to make much impact, with One Master eighth, Beat The Bank beating three home and Inns Of Court last.

Exultant defeats Lys Gracieux in the Hong Kong VaseCredit: Masakazu Takahashi

Europeans struggle as Exultant takes Hong Kong Vase

Exultant (Tony Cruz/Zac Purton) battled on gamely to deny Japan's Lys Gracieux in the Hong Kong Vase as the European runners disappointed.

Formerly trained in Ireland when known as Irishcorrespondent, Exultant went for home at the top of the straight and Purton just had enough to repel his old foe Joao Moreira in the closing stages.

Purton said: "He's an out-and-out stayer and I thought I was better off putting him on the pace against a quality field and letting him grind it out. If he's going to get into a fight over the last 200m over a trip like this you want to be on him."

The European's struggled to get involved with Waldgeist fifth, Rostropovich seventh, Prince Of Arran eighth, Salouen ninth, Latrobe 11th, Red Verdon 13th and Mirage Dancer was last.

Mr Stunning lands a second Hong Kong SprintCredit: Masakazu Takahashi

Mr Stunning goes back-to-back in Sprint

Mr Stunning (Frankie Lor/Karis Teetan) landed back-to-back runnings of the Hong Kong Sprint, emulating the likes of Lord Kanaloa and Silent Witness.

Jockey Karis Teetan said: "This is incredible. I had a lovely run through and I was so happy with the way he was travelling. His preparation went so well. He was travelling so smoothly, he's improved from his last start and he's done it before - he's a good horse."

Sir Dancealot missed the break and was never out of last position, but trainer David Elsworth was not too disheartened.

He said: "They were always going a bit too quickly for him, but he was staying on at the finish and although it might be a contradiction in terms to say he ran a 'good last', he was only beaten five lengths."

Sha Tin race results

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