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Racing Information - Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile- Roundup

Good Ba Ba the hometown hero in CXHK Mile

Hong Kong-based Good Ba Ba edged out Godolphin's Creachadoir in an absolute thriller for Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile to win by the narrowest of margins.

In so doing, Good Ba Ba become the second successive winner of the CX Hong Kong Mile to have graduated from the International Sale following on from The Duke (7th today) last year.

France's crack mile filly, Darjina, ran on for third spot under Christophe Soumillon, in front of the other fancied Hong Kong contender Floral Pegasus. The expected leader, Japan's Kongo Rikishio, slightly missed the break but got to the front and set moderate fractions into the straight but faded as Frankie Dettori went for home on Creachadoir They were then grabbed by the power-packed Good Ba Ba with Olivier Doleuze poking the horse's nose in front right on the line.

An ecstatic Doleuze, who celebrated with a flying dismount, said: "This is probably the best miler I've ridden. He has such great pace and he battled the whole way. Things have been a bit quiet for me so far this season which makes this even better."

Schutz had been telling the press all week that he had never had this horse in such good form: "I have a great time since coming to Hong Kong but I needed a really good horse from the point of view of my future career and this was it."

Schutz, who won the German Derby and Oaks five times apiece before coming to Hong Kong last year, said: "This is one of the highlights of my career and this horse has more acceleration than any horse I have ever trained."

Schutz has no firm plans for the winner but the runner-up may come back here for the Champion's Mile next April.

Godolphin's Racing Manager, Simon Crisford said: "Creachadoir will be a lovely horse for next year and we might return here for the Champions Mile. He ran his race and the wide draw made no difference today. He has run a fantastic race."

Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile - Quotes

Good Ba Ba - Olivier Doleuze: "We had a good gate in the middle and I was able to ride him as quietly as I like to. The thing with him is not to hit the front too soon. He has such great acceleration and he gives you everything in the finish just like he did there. He's probably the best miler I have ever ridden."

Good Ba Ba, trainer Andreas Schutz: "He has the best turn of foot of a horse I have ever trained. He was trained for this race and it's great to bring it off. He was a very important horse for me in my first season last year and this win is very important for my future as a trainer here. We might think about sending him for the Breeders' Cup next yearIt was a brilliant ride from Olivier and I want to thank my team for all their hard work.

Kongo Rikishio - Shinji Fujita: "He lost his off-fore shoe. I was happy with his position 400metres out but he could not accelerate in the straight."

Spirito Del Vento - Olivier Peslier: "We needed more pace than we got."

The Duke - Glen Boss: "The old boy tried very hard but was feeling it in his legs a bit in the final 100m."

Able One - Mick Kinane: "We didn't get a lot of room in the straight but he wasn't quite good enough."

Al Qasi - Ryan Moore: "He wasn't good enough at the trip."

Floral Pegasus - Gerald Mosse: "It is hard in a race like that from stall 11. He was wide but he ran on well, but was beaten by good horses."

Down Town - Douglas Whyte: "He had every chance but he didn't let down."

Joyful Winner - Darren Beadman: "I was close to the winner in the run but we didn't have the same turn of foot as him."

Visionario - Neil Callan: "He'll be a good horse for the future in Hong Kong."

Frankie Dettori: "It's only the second time I have ridden the horse, and he ran his heart out, but we just missed out. He'll be a nice horse for next year."

Simon Crisford: "He has run his race and there are no excuses. We are delighted with the run and he will be a lovely horse for next year. We may come back here for the Champions Mile next April."

Aidan O'Brien - trainer, Excellent Art - "For a three-year-old he has had a long hard season and he doesn't owe us anything. He goes to stud now."

Christophe Soumillon - jockey, Darjina -"I wish I could have started her run a little sooner but we had to wait and when she got out she took a little time to get balanced, but then ran on really well."

Zahra Aga Khan - owner, Darjina - "She was just getting into her run when she was squeezed up and she didn't need that because it takes her a little while to get balanced. She stays in training next year and we may try her over longer distances."

Jean-Marie Beguigne - trainer, Spirito Del Vento - "There just wasn't enough pace on for him. But he finished well in the straight and it was a great effort for his first international race. He will stay in training next year."