Roundup
Daryakana takes the Vase with huge finish
The French drew first blood in the 2009 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Races when the filly Daryakana produced a big finishing burst to win the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase, from Spanish Moon, today at Sha Tin.
The filly, owned by His Highness the Aga Khan, provided trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre with his second CXHKIR success following his win in the 2006 CXHK Cup with the mare Pride.
"It seems like I can only win with the fillies. For a three-year-old she travelled very well and when I saw her early in the week, I thought she was perfect. When she won her Group 2 at Longchamp I started to think of this race here. She will stay in training as a four-year-old," de Royer-Dupre said.
Winning jockey Gerald Mosse, who picked up the ride after Christophe Lemaire's Japan Cup suspension, now boasts six winners at this meeting and he timed his run to perfection after Daryakana was last approaching the home turn. Mosse's tally of wins is only matched by Olivier Peslier.
"I had a lot of horse under me and the pace was ok so I was happy to sit at the back. I knew she had a great turn of foot and I was always happy in the straight that I would get there. I feel a bit sad for my friend (Lemaire) but that happens in racing. This filly has a heart bigger than herself. She's among the best I've ridden,' Mosse said.
Daryakana, the least experienced runner in the race, remains unbeaten after five starts and continued the dominance of European trained horses in the race.
Spanish Moon was brave in running second after Ryan Moore was niggling at him as far as 800 metres from home. "We just got mugged on the line,' Moore said.
Francois Doumen, of Jim And Tonic fame here in Hong Kong, was delighted with the performance of Kasbah Bliss who rallied late to finish third after being under pressure a long way from home. "He was brave,' said Doumen of the horse who has combined flat and jumps racing successfully.
"He was held up on the last bend which is a bit of a shame because otherwise he could have accelerated earlier and that might have made the difference,' Doumen said.
Jaguar Mail, last year's third placegetter, was fourth while Cirrus Des Aigles may well have turned in the best run in the race to finish fifth after being wide throughout.
Youmzain, the Arc runner-up, disappointed. "It seems to be the story of his life. Disappointment. He was on and off the bridle down the far side and just never going well enough,' said trainer Mick Channon.
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