Fresh of a wonderful Breeders’ Cup meet at Del Mar, the Japanese drew first blood on Hong Kong International Day at Sha Tin with the odds-on favourite Glory Vase (JPN) powering home to defeat the game Pyledriver in the Longines Hong Kong Vase (2400m).
Winner of the race in 2019, the Tomohito Ozeki-trained son of Deep Impact was given a patient ride by Joao Moreira.
With just one behind him on the turn, Glory Vase (JPN) set out after Pyledriver (Harbour Watch) who has beaten off his nearest challengers to hit the front 300m out.
Pyledriver stayed on strongly to finish a length second under Martin Dwyer with the 5yo Distorted Humor mare Ebaiyra doing retiring trainer Alain de Royer Dupre proud, a further two and a half lengths back in third.
Second behind the champion Loves Only You in the Group 1 QEII Cup at Sha Tin on April 25, Glory Vase (JPN) entered the Vase off a third in a Group II behind Win Marilyn at Nakayama on September 26.
“Everything went as expected, Moreira said.
“I moved to the fence to save ground and I just made sure to get into the clear. I know he is a very strong horse at the finish and there was not a fight.
“He has proven to be the best horse on the day.”
The Hong Kong Vase double are the only two wins at the highest level for the 6yo son of Deep Impact.
A 4-time Group II winner in his homeland, the best performance at the elite level Glory Vase (JPN) at home came when second in the Tenno Sho (Spring).
He is the best of three winners from four to race out of the Swept Overboard mare Mejiro Tsubone.
