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