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Mastery takes the Vase

Sun 12th Dec 2010, 11:17

Mastery, the 2009 St Leger winner, scooped another huge prize when emerging victorious in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin.

Godolphin's four-year-old has this season been used sparingly, and clearly had fitness on his side in defeating fellow British raider Redwood.

Always close to the pace under Frankie Dettori, the Saeed bin Suroor-trained colt really got going once Mighty High took them along into the home straight.

Mastery gained a clear-cut advantage two furlongs from home - a lead he never looked like relinquishing as Redwood, ridden by Michael Hills and trained by his father, Barry, stayed on for second.

Americain, the Melbourne Cup hero last month, was third.

Sir Michael Stoute's Crystal Capella was prominent early on but folded tamely, while the James Given-trained Indian Days was never a factor.

Ballydoyle's Joshua Tree was declared a non-runner. Aidan O'Brien's colt is lame.

Dettori said: "I was looking at the stats and it was my 48th Hong Kong International ride, so you could say I'm getting a bit long in the tooth.

"Saeed has been telling me this horse was flying. He's been slow getting out (of the stalls) and he was again, but once I got him out and clear in the straight I knew nobody could catch us in the last 400 yards.

"He won the Leger and is a good horse, and four a four-year-old he's had very little racing.

"The fresh legs are paying off, and my first thoughts would be the Sheema Classic. It's been a great job by Saeed and the team."

Bin Suroor added: "The horse has been giving me a good feeling for a while.

"He was flying in his work, and is in great condition. We got him ready specially for this race.

"We shall keep him in training next year and all the options are open, including the Sheema Classic back in Dubai.

"My stable was on the 199 mark and this was our last runner of the year, so that is very nice for us to get to the 200 with the last chance to do it."

Ryan Moore said of Crystal Capella: "The ground was too quick for her."

Stoute added: "Ryan said she didn't let herself down on the ground."

Jockey Alan Munro said of Indian Days: "The pace didn't suit my horse. It was a rough race and it became too tactical."

Michael Hills said of Redwood: "It was a really lovely run. I couldn't believe how well I was going the whole way.

"My bloke quickened at the end but the winner was just too good.

"He ran a super race."