It's Brits in the HK Vase - No Fight For Australia

Craig Tompson - Sunday December 8

Australia’s Without A Fight had no fight while the British dominated in the Longines Hong Kong Vase (2400m) at Sha Tin.

iavellotto wins the Hong Kong Vase. Photo Grant Courtney

Victory went to five-year-old Marco Botti trained stallion Giavellotto (Mastercraftsman x Gerika (Galileo)), who produced a stunning finishing effort to win by two and half lengths from another UK representative in Dubai Honour (Pride Of Dubai), with Japan’s Stellenbosch (Epiphaneia) third.

The first half of the race was run at a pedestrian pace before the speed went on which saw tight racing rounding the home turn with Giavellotto a chief sufferer in some interference, but he picked up strongly when clear with winning rider Oisin Murphy elated with the effort.

“He relaxed great and was in a super rhythm,” said Murphy.

“He got checked turning into the straight and often you don’t get going again. And how powerful was he late!”

Oisin Murphy and Giavellotto. Photo Grant Courtney

Dubai Honour was brave with his strong finishing second placing, while Stellenbosch wasn’t aided by the slow pace, settling last and being asked to make a long run around the field which took its toll in the final part.

Advertisement

Without A Fight enjoyed the run of the race from his rails draw and raised hopes ever so briefly however wilted quickly and ultimately only beat one to the line.

It was the first Group One victory for the winner who had previously been placed in the Group I English St Leger in 2022, and in his lead up run to the Vase finished third to Kyprios and Vauban in the Group I Irish St Leger.

Giavellotto becomes another Group One winner for Mastercraftsman, who shuttled for four seasons to Windsor Park Stud from 2010 to 2013 but sadly died prematurely of a heart attack in 2021.

He is the best of eight to race for Galileo mare Gerika, a half-sister to three Listed winners in Italy – Cromo, Right Connection and Donoma.

Advertisment

Race Result - The Longines Hong Kong Vase Gr1 2400m

Sha Tin Track: Good Time: 2:27.53
1
Giavellotto
- 6h Mastercraftsman (IRE) x Gerika (FR) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: M Botti Rdr: O Murphy 57
2
2.5
Dubai Honour
- 7g Pride Of Dubai (AUS) x Mondelice (GB) (Montjeu (IRE))
Tnr: W J Haggas Rdr: T Marquand 57
Pride Of Dubai
3
3.5
Stellenbosch
- 4m Epiphaneia (JPN) x Bloukrans (JPN) (Rulership (JPN))
Tnr: S Kunieda Rdr: J Moreira 53
4
3.8
Ensued
- 5g Lemon Drop Kid (USA) x Alluvial Gold (IRE) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: J J Size Rdr: J B Mc Donald 57
5
4
Luxembourg
- 6h Camelot (GB) x Attire (IRE) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: A O'Brien Rdr: R Moore 57
6
4.3
Marquisat
- 5g Zarak (FR) x La Marchesa (IRE) (Duke Of Marmalade (IRE))
Tnr: A Fabre Rdr: M Barzalona 57
7
4.5
Five G Patch
- 7g Camelot (GB) x Uliana (USA) (Darshaan (GB))
Tnr: A S Cruz Rdr: B Avdulla 57
8
4.8
Iresine
- 8g Manduro (GER) x Inanga (GB) (Oasis Dream (GB))
Tnr: Jean Gauvin Rdr: M Velon 57
9
6.5
Continuous
- 5h Heart's Cry (JPN) x Fluff (IRE) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: A O'Brien Rdr: W M Lordan 57
10
12.3
La City Blanche
- 6g Cityscape (GB) x Etoile Blanc (BRZ) (Nedawi (GB))
Tnr: A S Cruz Rdr: M Chadwick 57
11
13.5
Pradaria
- 6h Deep Impact (JPN) x Chasse' Roll (JPN) (Kurofune (USA))
Tnr: M Ikezoe Rdr: Cristian Demuro 57
12
16
Without A Fight
- 8g Teofilo (IRE) x Khor Sheed (GB) (Dubawi (IRE))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: M Zahra 57
13
16.3
Ka Ying Generation
- 5g Churchill (IRE) x War Goddess (IRE) (Champs Elysees (GB))
Tnr: P C Ng Rdr: A Atzeni 57
More Reading...
Bergerson Honoured at Entain Industry Excellence Awards
Sam Bergerson, New Zealand’s leading trainer, was recognised by his peers when receiving the top gong at the Entain Industry Excellence Awards on Sunday night.
Euro G1 – Bridesmaid No More and Two Time Derby Hero
Aga Khan Studs don’t race a lot of geldings, but one that they do is Calandagan, who shook off his G1 bridesmaid tag winning the Group I Grand Prix de Saint Cloud in France, while in Ireland the Coolmore machine kept the winning run going to take out the Group I Irish Derby (1 ½ m).
Sires With Winners - Friday June 27
Here is the full list of 48 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Wootton Bassett Winning Whirl
It was a red letter day for Wootton Bassett (GB) at The Curragh overnight with a treble of winners highlighted by top class filly Whirl, who captured the Group I Pretty Polly Stakes (1m2f), a race won by the mighty Via Sistina in 2023.
National Online Breeding Stock Sale Online Now
The National Online Breeding Stock Sale has launched on Gavelhouse Plus with bidding open on the 87 Lots sale which is set to end from 7pm on Wednesday 9th July.
Alice Jeffries - Rising Star in Breeding Industry
Alice Jeffries didn’t always see a future for herself in the breeding industry, but a very special filly played a key role in getting her to where she is today, working as Cambridge Stud’s Assistant Yearling Manager, and receiving Entain’s Newcomer Excellence Award on Sunday.
New kids on the block add fresh blood to Vibrant Victorian breeding scene
With 11 new stallions standing in Victoria this coming breeding season, including the winners of three Group 1 races on their ‘home’ soil, the short and long-term future looks increasingly bright for the state’s vibrant industry. 
Sires With Winners - Saturday June 28
Here is the full list of 109 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
G1 Aussie Season – Best of the Best
The $700,000 Group I Tatts Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm last Saturday was the last of 76 Australian Group I races run this season that produced 57 individual Group I winners, so let’s take a look at the best of the best.
Vinery Stud Announce Adam White as Interim Manager
From the 1st of July, Vinery Stud is pleased to announce the appointment of Adam White as Interim General Manager, following the resignation of Peter Orton. A dedicated and long-standing member of the Vinery team, Adam brings a wealth of experience and an in-depth understanding of both the business and the industry to this pivotal role.