Imperious Rapper Dragon sweeps four-year-old Classic series

Favourite Rapper Dragon ran out out a convincing winner of the Hong Kong Derby, becoming the first horse to sweep the four-year-old Classic series.

Trained by John Moore and ridden by 'magic man' Joao Moreira, Rapper Dragon had already won the Classic Mile and nine-furlong Classic Cup, and he proved just as effective over ten furlongs at Sha Tin, comfortably holding the customary late challenge of Pakistan Star, who had also finished runner-up in the Classic Cup.

Pakistan Star, who was ridden by Silvestre de Sousa, came with a strong charge but could never get on terms with Rapper Dragon who found plenty and won with a degree of authority. Beauty Generation was third.

Rapper Dragon provided Moreira with a first Hong Kong Derby, while it was Moore's sixth success.

"I got emotional, I was saying to everyone beforehand that it was the race I wanted to win the most and thanks to God that I achieved that," Moreira said.

Trainer reaction

Moore said: "This is a really classy animal, he's done everything right, he progressed through the classes, today was the grand final and we won it."

Regarding future targets, Moore added: "We're going to toss-up between the Champions Mile and the QEII. I want to dodge Werther though, the way Werther's working at the moment - his work the other morning was just unbelievable.

"Rapper Dragon's got versatility so I'm sure I can freshen him up and bring him back to the mile - he's got the gate speed, so I'm sure he'd be a live chance in the Champions Mile."