DERBY hero Anthony Van Dyck was well-beaten as Glory Vase ran out an emphatic winner of the Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin.

Ryan Moore stalked favourite Exultant for much of the way on Aidan O’Brien’s charge, but found little in the straight, where strong-travelling Japanese raider Glory Vase got the perfect split to come with a power-packed run and lead a furlong out.

The Joao Moreira-ridden four-year-old quickly put distance between himself and the rest of the field.

Fellow Japanese runner Lucky Lilac chased the son of Deep Impact home, with Exultant third and Deirdre, winner of the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood in the summer, fourth under Oisin Murphy.

Sprint

Joao Moreira timed it to perfection aboard Beat The Clock to claim the Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin.

It looked like everything had gone to plan in the six-furlong affair for red-hot favourite Aethero, who charged to the front under Zac Purton and still led a furlong out.

But his stride began to shorten as the post loomed and he was swamped with 50 yards to run, with the John Size-trained Beat The Clock finishing best of all and Hot King Prawn edging Aethero for second.

It was a second Group 1 win on the card for Brazilian ace Moreira, as the ‘Magic Man’ also lifted the Vase aboard Japanese raider Glory Vase.

Size said: “His strength is his character, with a tremendous will to win and fighting spirit. He saves his energy for raceday and gives you everything he’s got.

“It’s really humbling to see him do that. There are some Group 1s here in Hong Kong and the next one at the end of January will be on his agenda.”

Moreira added: “He wasn’t fast enough from the gate, but turning for home I felt I had plenty in my hands and that the way he was coming he was going to win.

“I’ve been associated with this horse for a long time and am proud he’s proved he’s the best sprinter today.”

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