A RIDE of skill by Joao Moreira and an expert training performance by Caspar Fownes saw Sky Darci overcome stamina doubts and deliver a dramatic win in the BMW Hong Kong Derby, just holding off the challenge of last year’s Irish-trained Royal Ascot winner Russian Emperor in a dash to the line at Sha Tin last Sunday.

Only a head separated Sky Darci and a charging Russian Emperor (by Galileo) at the line, with Panfield, a triple Group 1 winner in Chile, back in third, in an international finish.